CVE-2012-5288 in phpMyDirectory
Summary
by MITRE
SQL injection vulnerability in page.php in phpMyDirectory 1.3.3 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via the id parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/15/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2012-5288 represents a critical sql injection flaw within phpMyDirectory version 1.3.3, specifically affecting the page.php script. This vulnerability resides in the handling of user-supplied input through the id parameter, which is processed without adequate sanitization or validation measures. The flaw allows remote attackers to inject malicious sql commands directly into the application's database layer, potentially compromising the entire backend infrastructure. The vulnerability classification aligns with CWE-89 which specifically addresses sql injection weaknesses in software applications, making it a prime target for exploitation by malicious actors seeking unauthorized database access.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from the application's failure to properly escape or parameterize user input before incorporating it into sql query constructions. When a user provides an id parameter through page.php, the application directly concatenates this input into sql statements without appropriate filtering mechanisms. This primitive input handling creates an exploitable path where attackers can manipulate the sql execution flow by injecting specially crafted payloads. The vulnerability operates at the application layer and requires no authentication or privileged access to exploit, making it particularly dangerous as it can be leveraged by anyone with access to the vulnerable web application. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this as a command injection technique under the execution phase, specifically targeting database servers through application interfaces.
The operational impact of CVE-2012-5288 extends far beyond simple data retrieval manipulation, as successful exploitation can lead to complete database compromise including data exfiltration, modification of sensitive records, and potential lateral movement within network environments. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to extract administrative credentials, user information, and other confidential data stored within the database. The vulnerability also enables privilege escalation attacks where attackers might gain elevated access rights within the database system. Organizations running affected versions of phpMyDirectory face significant risk of data breaches, compliance violations, and potential regulatory penalties. The vulnerability affects not just the immediate application but can serve as a foothold for more extensive attacks targeting other systems within the same network infrastructure.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2012-5288 require immediate implementation of proper input validation and parameterized query construction techniques. Organizations should upgrade to phpMyDirectory version 1.3.4 or later, which includes patches addressing this specific vulnerability. The recommended approach involves implementing prepared statements or parameterized queries for all database interactions, ensuring that user input is properly escaped and validated before processing. Network segmentation and firewall rules should be implemented to limit access to database servers, while web application firewalls can provide additional protection layers. Security monitoring should be enhanced to detect unusual database access patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to identify similar issues in other applications, as this vulnerability demonstrates the importance of input sanitization practices. The fix should also include comprehensive logging of all database interactions to enable forensic analysis in case of successful exploitation attempts.