CVE-2011-5234 in Social Network Community
Summary
by MITRE
SQL injection vulnerability in user.php in Social Network Community 2 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via the userId parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/09/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2011-5234 represents a critical sql injection flaw within the Social Network Community 2 platform that exposes the application to remote code execution risks. This vulnerability specifically affects the user.php script where user input is not properly sanitized before being incorporated into sql queries. The flaw exists in the handling of the userId parameter which serves as the primary attack vector for malicious actors seeking to manipulate database operations.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and sanitization practices within the application's backend processing logic. When the userId parameter is passed to the user.php script, the application fails to properly escape or parameterize the input before incorporating it into sql command strings. This creates an environment where attackers can inject malicious sql payloads that bypass normal authentication mechanisms and directly manipulate database operations. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-89 which specifically addresses sql injection flaws in software applications, making it a well-documented and dangerous security weakness.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft or modification to encompass full system compromise potential. Remote attackers can leverage this flaw to execute arbitrary sql commands on the underlying database server, potentially gaining access to sensitive user information, modifying database records, or even escalating privileges within the application environment. The vulnerability's remote exploitability means that attackers do not require physical access to the system or local network presence, making it particularly dangerous for publicly accessible web applications. This weakness directly corresponds to several tactics outlined in the attack mitigation framework including the use of sql injection techniques for privilege escalation and data exfiltration.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should prioritize immediate patching of the affected application version and implementation of proper input validation measures. The most effective defense involves implementing parameterized queries or prepared statements throughout the application codebase to ensure that user input cannot be interpreted as sql commands. Additionally, comprehensive input sanitization routines should be deployed to filter out malicious characters and sequences that could be used in sql injection attacks. Organizations should also implement web application firewalls to detect and block suspicious sql injection patterns, and establish regular security auditing procedures to identify similar vulnerabilities across their software infrastructure. The remediation approach should follow industry standards for secure coding practices and align with the principles of defense in depth as recommended by cybersecurity frameworks.