CVE-2012-3450 in PHP
Summary
by MITRE
pdo_sql_parser.re in the PDO extension in PHP before 5.3.14 and 5.4.x before 5.4.4 does not properly determine the end of the query string during parsing of prepared statements, which allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (out-of-bounds read and application crash) via a crafted parameter value.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/16/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2012-3450 resides within the PHP Data Objects PDO extension, specifically within the pdo_sql_parser.re component that handles parsing of prepared statements. This flaw represents a classic buffer overread condition that occurs during the parsing process of SQL queries when prepared statements are utilized. The issue affects PHP versions prior to 5.3.14 and 5.4.4, making it a significant concern for systems running these older versions. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it can be exploited remotely, allowing attackers to trigger out-of-bounds memory reads that ultimately lead to application crashes and denial of service conditions.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability stems from improper string boundary detection during the parsing of prepared statement parameters. When PHP processes SQL queries with prepared statements, the pdo_sql_parser.re component is responsible for identifying where query strings end and parameter values begin. In vulnerable versions, this parser fails to correctly determine the termination point of query strings, causing it to read beyond allocated memory boundaries when processing specially crafted parameter values. This improper boundary handling creates a condition where the parser attempts to access memory locations that are outside the intended buffer limits, resulting in undefined behavior and potential application instability.
The operational impact of CVE-2012-3450 extends beyond simple denial of service to potentially compromise system availability and stability. Remote attackers can leverage this vulnerability by crafting malicious parameter values that trigger the out-of-bounds read condition, causing the PHP application to crash and terminate unexpectedly. This creates a reliable method for conducting denial of service attacks against web applications that utilize PDO prepared statements, potentially affecting entire web services or individual application endpoints. The vulnerability is particularly concerning in high-traffic environments where repeated exploitation could lead to sustained service disruption, making it a prime target for attackers seeking to disrupt online services.
Organizations affected by this vulnerability should prioritize immediate patching of their PHP installations to versions 5.3.14 or 5.4.4 and later, which contain the necessary fixes for the buffer overread condition. Additionally, implementing input validation and sanitization measures can provide defense-in-depth protection against exploitation attempts. Security monitoring should be enhanced to detect unusual patterns of prepared statement usage that might indicate attempted exploitation. From a compliance perspective, this vulnerability aligns with CWE-129, which addresses improper validation of array indices and buffer overflows. The attack pattern follows typical ATT&CK techniques for privilege escalation and denial of service, where attackers leverage application-level vulnerabilities to disrupt service availability and potentially gain further access to compromised systems. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls and runtime application self-protection mechanisms to detect and block malicious parameter values before they can trigger the vulnerable code path.