CVE-2012-1210 in pfile
Summary
by MITRE
SQL injection vulnerability in pfile/file.php in Powie pFile 1.02 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via the id parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/30/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2012-1210 represents a critical SQL injection flaw within the pfile/file.php component of Powie pFile version 1.02. This vulnerability resides in the application's handling of user input through the id parameter, which is processed without proper sanitization or validation mechanisms. The flaw enables remote attackers to inject malicious SQL code directly into the database query execution flow, potentially compromising the entire database infrastructure.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and improper parameter handling within the application's database interaction layer. When the id parameter is passed to the file.php script, the application directly incorporates this user-supplied value into SQL query construction without any form of escaping or parameter binding. This primitive approach to database interaction creates an exploitable condition where attacker-controlled input can manipulate the intended query structure and execute unauthorized database operations.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability poses severe risks to system integrity and data confidentiality. Successful exploitation allows attackers to perform unauthorized database operations including but not limited to data retrieval, modification, or deletion. The attacker could potentially extract sensitive information such as user credentials, personal data, or system configurations. Additionally, the vulnerability could enable privilege escalation attacks where attackers might gain administrative access to the database or even the underlying operating system if the database server has elevated privileges.
The impact of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-89 which categorizes SQL injection as a fundamental weakness in software design that allows attackers to manipulate database queries through malicious input. This weakness is particularly dangerous because it can be exploited remotely without requiring authentication or specialized access to the system. The ATT&CK framework would classify this vulnerability under the T1190 technique for exploiting vulnerabilities in remote services, with potential lateral movement opportunities once initial access is achieved through database manipulation.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate implementation of proper input validation and parameterized queries. The application should employ prepared statements or parameterized queries to ensure that user input is treated as data rather than executable code. Additionally, input sanitization measures including proper escaping of special characters and validation against expected input formats should be implemented. Access controls and least privilege principles must be enforced to limit database access permissions and prevent unauthorized operations. Regular security assessments and code reviews should be conducted to identify and remediate similar vulnerabilities in other application components. The system administrators should also implement proper logging and monitoring to detect suspicious database query patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts.