CVE-2011-0512 in Teams Structure module
Summary
by MITRE
SQL injection vulnerability in team.php in the Teams Structure module 3.0 for PHP-Fusion allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via the team_id parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/01/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2011-0512 represents a critical SQL injection flaw within the Teams Structure module version 3.0 of PHP-Fusion content management system. This security weakness resides in the team.php script which processes user input through the team_id parameter without proper sanitization or validation. The vulnerability falls under the Common Weakness Enumeration category CWE-89, which specifically addresses SQL injection vulnerabilities where untrusted data is directly incorporated into SQL command strings without adequate escaping or parameterization. Attackers can exploit this flaw by crafting malicious SQL commands within the team_id parameter, potentially gaining unauthorized access to the underlying database system.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability demonstrates a classic case of insufficient input validation where the application fails to properly filter or escape user-supplied data before incorporating it into database queries. When a remote attacker submits a specially crafted team_id value, the application processes this input directly within the SQL execution context, allowing the attacker to manipulate the intended query structure. This flaw enables attackers to perform unauthorized database operations including data extraction, modification, or deletion, potentially leading to complete system compromise. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it operates at the database interaction layer where malicious input can bypass application-level security controls and directly affect the backend data storage.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft to encompass complete system compromise and potential lateral movement within affected networks. An attacker who successfully exploits this SQL injection vulnerability can extract sensitive information such as user credentials, personal data, and system configuration details. The attack surface is significant as the vulnerability affects the Teams Structure module, which likely contains user management and organizational data. This weakness can be leveraged to escalate privileges, modify user permissions, or even inject malicious code into the web application. According to ATT&CK framework domain T1190, this vulnerability represents a technique for exploiting vulnerabilities in web applications, specifically targeting the SQL injection attack pattern that allows for data manipulation and unauthorized access.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2011-0512 should prioritize immediate remediation through proper input validation and parameterized queries. The most effective approach involves implementing prepared statements or parameterized queries that separate SQL command structure from data input, ensuring that user-supplied values cannot alter the intended query execution. Additionally, comprehensive input sanitization should be implemented to filter or escape special characters that could enable SQL injection attacks. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls to detect and block suspicious SQL injection patterns, while maintaining regular security audits to identify similar vulnerabilities in other application components. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the importance of secure coding practices and input validation in preventing database-level attacks, particularly in content management systems where user input is frequently processed and stored.