CVE-2011-0645 in PHPCMS 2008
Summary
by MITRE
SQL injection vulnerability in data.php in PHPCMS 2008 V2 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via the where_time parameter in a get action.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/01/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2011-0645 represents a critical SQL injection flaw within the PHPCMS 2008 V2 content management system. This vulnerability specifically targets the data.php script which processes user input through the where_time parameter during get actions. The flaw enables remote attackers to manipulate database queries by injecting malicious SQL commands, potentially compromising the entire database infrastructure. The vulnerability falls under the CWE-89 category of SQL Injection, which is classified as a high-risk vulnerability in the Common Weakness Enumeration framework and is commonly exploited in the ATT&CK framework under the T1190 technique for exploitation of remote services.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and sanitization within the PHPCMS application. When the where_time parameter is processed in the get action context, the application fails to properly escape or filter user-supplied data before incorporating it into SQL query constructions. This allows attackers to append malicious SQL fragments that can alter the intended query behavior, potentially leading to unauthorized data access, data modification, or complete database compromise. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it operates at the database interaction layer, where successful exploitation can result in extensive data breaches and system compromise.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft, as it provides attackers with the capability to execute arbitrary commands on the underlying database server. This can lead to complete system takeover, data exfiltration, and potential lateral movement within the network infrastructure. The remote nature of the attack means that exploitation can occur from any location without requiring physical access to the system, making it particularly attractive to threat actors. Organizations utilizing PHPCMS 2008 V2 are at significant risk of data breaches and system compromise, especially when the application is exposed to untrusted networks or public internet access.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should prioritize immediate patching of the affected PHPCMS version, as the vendor has released updates addressing this specific SQL injection flaw. Network segmentation and firewall rules should be implemented to restrict access to the affected application, particularly limiting direct internet exposure. Input validation and sanitization measures should be strengthened throughout the application to prevent similar vulnerabilities from occurring in other components. Database access controls should be reviewed and implemented with least privilege principles, ensuring that application database accounts have minimal required permissions. Additionally, regular security assessments and penetration testing should be conducted to identify and remediate similar vulnerabilities in the application's codebase, while implementing proper logging and monitoring to detect potential exploitation attempts.