CVE-2011-5222 in PHP Flirt-Projekt
Summary
by MITRE
SQL injection vulnerability in rub2_w.php in PHP Flirt-Projekt 4.8 and possibly earlier allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via the rub parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/14/2024
The CVE-2011-5222 vulnerability represents a critical sql injection flaw in the PHP Flirt-Projekt 4.8 web application, specifically within the rub2_w.php script. This vulnerability exposes the application to remote code execution attacks through improper input validation mechanisms. The flaw manifests when the rub parameter in the rub2_w.php file fails to adequately sanitize user-provided data before incorporating it into sql query constructions. This oversight creates a pathway for malicious actors to inject arbitrary sql commands that the application will execute with the privileges of the database user account. The vulnerability affects not only version 4.8 but potentially all earlier iterations of the PHP Flirt-Projekt suite, indicating a widespread exposure across multiple releases. The impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft, as successful exploitation could allow attackers to gain complete control over the underlying database system and potentially escalate privileges to compromise the entire web application server.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability follows standard sql injection attack patterns where an attacker crafts malicious input containing sql payload within the rub parameter. When the vulnerable application processes this input without proper sanitization or parameterization, the injected sql commands execute within the database context. This vulnerability directly maps to CWE-89 which defines improper neutralization of special elements used in sql commands, and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1071.004 for application layer protocol manipulation. The flaw demonstrates a classic lack of input validation and output encoding practices that should be implemented as part of secure coding standards. Attackers could leverage this vulnerability to extract sensitive data, modify database contents, create new user accounts, or even execute system commands if the database user has appropriate privileges. The remote nature of this attack means that no local system access is required, making it particularly dangerous for publicly accessible web applications.
The operational impact of CVE-2011-5222 extends beyond immediate data compromise to encompass long-term security degradation of affected systems. Organizations running vulnerable versions of PHP Flirt-Projekt face potential data breaches, regulatory compliance violations, and reputational damage from successful exploitation. The vulnerability's persistence across multiple versions indicates inadequate security testing and code review processes within the application development lifecycle. System administrators must consider the possibility of unauthorized database access, data exfiltration, and potential lateral movement within network environments where these applications reside. The vulnerability also represents a significant risk for organizations that may have deployed multiple instances of the application, as each instance presents an independent attack surface. Security monitoring should focus on identifying unusual database query patterns and potential sql injection attempts in web application logs.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2011-5222 require immediate action to address the root cause through proper input validation and parameterized queries. Organizations should upgrade to the latest available version of PHP Flirt-Projekt where the vulnerability has been patched, or implement temporary workarounds such as input sanitization filters for the rub parameter. The implementation of web application firewalls and sql injection detection systems can provide additional layers of protection while longer-term fixes are deployed. Security teams should conduct comprehensive vulnerability assessments to identify all instances of the affected application and ensure proper patch management protocols are followed. The remediation process must include thorough testing to verify that the fix does not introduce new functionality issues while maintaining the application's core capabilities. Regular security audits and code reviews should be implemented to prevent similar vulnerabilities from emerging in future development cycles, emphasizing the importance of following secure coding practices and adhering to industry standards such as those defined by owasp and iso 27001 for application security.