CVE-2012-3839 in MyClientBase
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple SQL injection vulnerabilities in application/core/MY_Model.php in MyClientBase 0.12 allow remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via the (1) invoice_number or (2) tags parameter to index.php/invoice_search.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/27/2025
The vulnerability described in CVE-2012-3839 represents a critical security flaw in the MyClientBase web application version 0.12, specifically within the application/core/MY_Model.php file. This issue manifests as multiple SQL injection vulnerabilities that expose the system to remote code execution attacks. The vulnerability affects the invoice_search functionality where attackers can manipulate input parameters to inject malicious SQL commands into the database query execution process. The attack vectors target two specific parameters: invoice_number and tags within the index.php/invoice_search endpoint, making this a particularly dangerous vulnerability as it provides multiple entry points for exploitation.
The technical nature of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-89, which specifically addresses SQL injection flaws in software applications. This weakness occurs when user-supplied data is directly incorporated into SQL queries without proper sanitization or parameterization, allowing attackers to manipulate the intended query structure. The vulnerability exists in the application layer where input validation and sanitization mechanisms fail to properly filter malicious payloads. Attackers can exploit this by crafting specially formatted input strings that, when processed by the vulnerable MY_Model.php script, alter the SQL query execution flow and potentially allow unauthorized database access or manipulation.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe as it enables remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands against the underlying database system. Successful exploitation could result in complete database compromise, data exfiltration, unauthorized data modification, or even privilege escalation within the application. The vulnerability affects the core functionality of the MyClientBase application, which is likely used for client management and invoice processing, making it particularly attractive to attackers targeting business applications. The remote nature of the attack means that exploitation does not require physical access to the system, and attackers can leverage this vulnerability from anywhere on the internet.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2012-3839 should focus on implementing proper input validation and parameterized queries to prevent SQL injection attacks. Organizations should immediately apply the vendor-supplied patches or upgrade to a newer version of MyClientBase that addresses this vulnerability. The recommended approach involves implementing prepared statements or parameterized queries in the MY_Model.php file to ensure that user input is properly escaped or parameterized before being incorporated into database queries. Additionally, input validation should be implemented at multiple layers including application-level filtering, web application firewall rules, and database access controls. Security monitoring should be enhanced to detect unusual database query patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts, and regular security assessments should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other application components. This vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of following secure coding practices and maintaining up-to-date software versions to prevent exploitation of known vulnerabilities.