CVE-2012-5348 in MangosWeb Enhanced
Summary
by MITRE
SQL injection vulnerability in MangosWeb Enhanced 3.0.3 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via the login parameter in a login action to index.php.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/26/2025
The CVE-2012-5348 vulnerability represents a critical SQL injection flaw discovered in MangosWeb Enhanced version 3.0.3, a web-based application designed for managing World of Warcraft server databases. This vulnerability exists within the authentication mechanism of the application, specifically targeting the login parameter handling in the index.php file. The flaw allows remote attackers to manipulate the database query execution by injecting malicious SQL commands through the login form interface, potentially compromising the entire database infrastructure. The vulnerability directly impacts the application's ability to authenticate users securely and can lead to unauthorized access to sensitive user data, server configuration details, and administrative controls. Given that this was a widely used open-source project for WoW server management, the exposure created significant risk for gaming communities and server administrators who relied on the platform for their operations.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability stems from improper input validation and sanitization within the application's login processing logic. When users submit login credentials through the index.php script, the application fails to properly escape or filter special characters in the login parameter before incorporating them into SQL queries. This allows attackers to inject malicious SQL syntax that manipulates the intended query execution flow. The vulnerability classifies under CWE-89, which specifically addresses SQL injection weaknesses where untrusted data is directly included in SQL command strings without proper escaping or parameterization. Attackers can exploit this by crafting login attempts that include SQL payload sequences such as single quotes, semicolons, or union select statements that alter the database query structure. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it operates at the database level, bypassing application-level authentication mechanisms and potentially granting attackers full database access privileges.
The operational impact of CVE-2012-5348 extends far beyond simple unauthorized access, as it provides attackers with extensive capabilities to manipulate the underlying database infrastructure. Successful exploitation could result in data theft including user credentials, personal information, and server configuration details. Attackers might also gain the ability to modify user accounts, escalate privileges, or even delete critical database records. The vulnerability affects the integrity and confidentiality of the entire system, as it allows unauthorized individuals to execute arbitrary database commands with the privileges of the database user account. Organizations using MangosWeb Enhanced 3.0.3 faced significant risks including potential service disruption, data breaches, and compliance violations. The remote nature of the attack means that threat actors could exploit this vulnerability from anywhere on the internet without requiring physical access to the server infrastructure, making it particularly attractive to malicious actors seeking to compromise gaming server environments.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2012-5348 should focus on immediate remediation through proper input validation and parameterized queries. The most effective approach involves implementing prepared statements or parameterized queries throughout the application codebase to ensure that user input cannot alter the structure of SQL commands. Additionally, input sanitization measures including character encoding, length validation, and regular expression filtering should be implemented to prevent malicious payloads from being processed. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls to detect and block suspicious SQL injection patterns. The vulnerability highlights the importance of following secure coding practices and adhering to OWASP Top Ten security guidelines, particularly those related to injection flaws and authentication mechanisms. Regular security audits and penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other applications. System administrators should also implement proper access controls, monitor database activities for suspicious queries, and ensure that all software components are regularly updated to address known security vulnerabilities. The incident underscores the critical need for robust security practices in web application development and the importance of maintaining up-to-date security patches to protect against known exploitation techniques.