CVE-2013-1748 in PHP Address Book
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple SQL injection vulnerabilities in PHP Address Book 8.2.5 allow remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via unspecified parameters to (1) edit.php or (2) import.php. NOTE: the view.php id vector is already covered by CVE-2008-2565.1 and the edit.php id vector is already covered by CVE-2008-2565.2.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/27/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2013-1748 represents a critical SQL injection flaw within the PHP Address Book version 8.2.5 web application. This vulnerability manifests through multiple attack vectors that enable remote threat actors to execute arbitrary SQL commands against the underlying database system. The affected parameters in edit.php and import.php scripts create pathways for malicious input processing that bypass proper sanitization mechanisms, allowing attackers to manipulate database queries through crafted input sequences.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and parameter sanitization within the PHP Address Book application. When users interact with the edit.php or import.php scripts, the application fails to properly escape or validate user-supplied parameters before incorporating them into SQL query construction. This design flaw aligns with CWE-89, which specifically addresses SQL injection vulnerabilities where untrusted data is directly concatenated into SQL commands without proper encoding or parameterization. The vulnerability operates at the application layer, exploiting the trust relationship between the web application and its database backend.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft or modification. Remote attackers can leverage these SQL injection vectors to perform complete database compromise, including unauthorized data access, data modification, and potentially full system control. The attack surface is particularly concerning as it affects two distinct entry points within the application, increasing the probability of successful exploitation. The vulnerability affects the database integrity and confidentiality, potentially exposing sensitive contact information, user credentials, and other stored data that may be stored in the address book database.
Security professionals should note that this vulnerability represents a persistent issue in web application development where proper input validation mechanisms are either absent or inadequately implemented. The exploitation of these vectors demonstrates the critical importance of implementing parameterized queries and input sanitization practices as outlined in the OWASP Top Ten security controls. Organizations utilizing PHP Address Book version 8.2.5 must implement immediate mitigations including code patching, input validation enhancements, and database access restrictions to prevent unauthorized SQL command execution. The vulnerability also highlights the need for comprehensive security testing including dynamic and static analysis to identify similar injection flaws in legacy applications.
The attack patterns associated with CVE-2013-1748 align with ATT&CK technique T1071.004 for application layer protocol usage, specifically targeting web application interfaces. The exploitation process typically involves crafting malicious input payloads that are processed by the vulnerable scripts, resulting in unauthorized database operations. This vulnerability type falls under the broader category of injection attacks that represent one of the most prevalent and dangerous classes of web application security flaws, making it essential for organizations to maintain updated security practices and regular vulnerability assessments to prevent exploitation of such critical flaws.