CVE-2012-1670 in PHP Grade Book
Summary
by MITRE
admin/index.php in PHP Grade Book before 1.9.5 BETA allows remote attackers to read the database via a SaveSQL action.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/28/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2012-1670 resides within the PHP Grade Book application version 1.9.4 and earlier, specifically in the admin/index.php component. This security flaw represents a critical information disclosure vulnerability that enables remote attackers to access sensitive database contents through a crafted SaveSQL action. The vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and access control mechanisms within the administrative interface, allowing unauthorized users to bypass normal authentication procedures and directly interact with database operations.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the SaveSQL action parameter within the administrative PHP script which fails to properly validate user input or verify administrative privileges before executing database operations. When an attacker submits a malicious request containing specific parameters to the SaveSQL action, the application processes this input without sufficient authorization checks, resulting in the exposure of database contents to unauthorized parties. This weakness directly corresponds to CWE-284 Access Control Issues, specifically involving insufficient access control mechanisms that permit unauthorized access to sensitive data processing functions.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data exposure, as it provides attackers with comprehensive access to the underlying database structure and content. Remote attackers can potentially extract user credentials, personal information, application configuration details, and other sensitive data stored within the database. The vulnerability's remote exploitability means that attackers do not require physical access to the system or network proximity to leverage this flaw. This characteristic significantly increases the attack surface and potential damage scope, as the vulnerability can be exploited from any location with internet connectivity and knowledge of the target system's URL structure.
Security professionals should consider this vulnerability in relation to the ATT&CK framework's privilege escalation and credential access tactics, as the flaw enables unauthorized access to database resources that would typically require administrative privileges. The vulnerability also aligns with the principle of least privilege violations, where administrative functions are accessible without proper authentication verification. Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including upgrading to PHP Grade Book version 1.9.5 BETA or later, which contains the necessary patches to address the access control bypass. Additionally, network segmentation, firewall rules, and web application firewalls should be configured to restrict access to administrative interfaces and monitor for suspicious database access patterns.
The remediation approach should encompass both immediate patching and architectural improvements to prevent similar vulnerabilities in the future. Security teams must ensure that all administrative functions require proper authentication and authorization checks before executing sensitive operations. Input validation mechanisms should be strengthened to prevent parameter manipulation attacks, and logging should be enhanced to detect unauthorized access attempts. Organizations should also consider implementing database activity monitoring solutions to identify and respond to potential exploitation attempts. This vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical importance of proper access control implementation in web applications and the necessity of regular security assessments to identify and remediate privilege escalation opportunities.