CVE-2012-6516 in PHP Ticket System
Summary
by MITRE
SQL injection vulnerability in PHP Ticket System Beta 1 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via the q parameter to index.php.
Statistical analysis made it clear that VulDB provides the best quality for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/01/2025
The CVE-2012-6516 vulnerability represents a critical sql injection flaw within the php ticket system beta 1 software that exposes remote attackers to execute arbitrary sql commands. This vulnerability specifically targets the q parameter in the index.php file, creating an attack vector that allows malicious actors to manipulate database queries through crafted input. The vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and sanitization mechanisms within the application's query handling process, enabling attackers to inject malicious sql code that bypasses normal security controls. The flaw falls under the common weakness enumeration CWE-89 which categorizes sql injection vulnerabilities as a serious threat to database security and data integrity.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs when the application directly incorporates user-supplied input from the q parameter into sql query construction without proper sanitization or parameterization. Attackers can exploit this by submitting malicious sql payloads through the q parameter, which then gets executed by the database engine with the privileges of the application's database user. This creates a pathway for unauthorized data access, modification, or deletion, potentially leading to complete database compromise. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it allows remote exploitation without requiring authentication, making it accessible to any attacker who can reach the affected system. The attack surface is further expanded due to the nature of the q parameter, which is commonly used for search functionality and often receives direct user input.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft, as it can enable attackers to escalate privileges, extract sensitive information, modify database contents, or even gain access to underlying server resources. Organizations using this vulnerable system face significant risks including customer data breaches, regulatory compliance violations, and potential financial losses due to compromised systems. The vulnerability can also serve as a foothold for further attacks within the network, as attackers may use the compromised system to pivot to other internal resources. Additionally, the exposure of database credentials and schema information through sql injection can provide attackers with valuable intelligence for subsequent attacks, making this vulnerability particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where database systems contain sensitive corporate and personal information.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2012-6516 should focus on implementing proper input validation and parameterized queries to prevent sql injection attacks. Organizations should immediately apply patches or updates provided by the software vendor to address this vulnerability, as the php ticket system beta 1 is an outdated version that likely contains additional unpatched security flaws. Implementing web application firewalls and input sanitization mechanisms can provide additional protection layers. The use of prepared statements and parameterized queries should be enforced throughout the application code to eliminate direct sql query construction from user input. Security monitoring and logging should be enhanced to detect suspicious query patterns that may indicate sql injection attempts. Regular security assessments and penetration testing should be conducted to identify and remediate similar vulnerabilities in other applications within the organization's infrastructure. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1190 which describes exploitation of remote services and T1071 which covers application layer protocol usage for command and control activities.