CVE-2013-3721 in PsychoStats
Summary
by MITRE
SQL injection vulnerability in awards.php in PsychoStats 3.2.2b allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via the d parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/03/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2013-3721 represents a critical sql injection flaw within the PsychoStats 3.2.2b web application, specifically targeting the awards.php script. This vulnerability resides in the handling of user-supplied input through the d parameter, which is processed without adequate sanitization or validation mechanisms. The flaw allows remote attackers to inject malicious sql commands directly into the application's database query execution flow, potentially compromising the entire underlying database infrastructure.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability demonstrates a classic sql injection attack vector where the d parameter is directly incorporated into sql queries without proper input filtering or parameterization. When an attacker submits malicious input through this parameter, the application fails to distinguish between legitimate user data and potentially harmful sql code. This lack of input validation creates an exploitable condition where attackers can manipulate database queries to extract sensitive information, modify database contents, or even execute administrative commands on the database server. The vulnerability specifically affects the awards.php component which likely handles award-related data retrieval or modification operations.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data compromise, as it provides attackers with extensive database access capabilities that can lead to complete system infiltration. An attacker could leverage this vulnerability to extract user credentials, personal information, or other sensitive data stored within the PsychoStats database. The remote nature of the attack means that exploitation can occur from any location without requiring physical access to the system, making it particularly dangerous for web applications. Additionally, successful exploitation could enable attackers to escalate privileges within the database environment, potentially leading to full system compromise.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2013-3721 should focus on implementing proper input validation and parameterized queries to prevent sql injection attacks. The most effective remediation involves sanitizing all user inputs through proper encoding and validation mechanisms before incorporating them into database queries. Implementing prepared statements or parameterized queries ensures that user input is treated as data rather than executable code. Organizations should also apply the latest security patches provided by PsychoStats developers and consider implementing web application firewalls to detect and block malicious sql injection attempts. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-89 which specifically addresses sql injection flaws, and represents a common attack pattern categorized under ATT&CK technique T1190 for exploitation of vulnerabilities in web applications. Regular security assessments and code reviews should be conducted to identify similar input validation weaknesses that could lead to comparable security risks.