CVE-2014-2654 in mAdserve
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple SQL injection vulnerabilities in MobFox mAdserve 2.0 and earlier allow remote authenticated users to execute arbitrary SQL commands via the id parameter to (1) edit_ad_unit.php, (2) view_adunits.php, or (3) edit_campaign.php in www/cp/.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/11/2026
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2014-2654 represents a critical SQL injection flaw affecting MobFox mAdserve 2.0 and earlier versions. This vulnerability resides within the administrative control panel of the ad serving platform, specifically targeting three distinct PHP scripts that handle ad unit management and campaign editing operations. The affected files include edit_ad_unit.php, view_adunits.php, and edit_campaign.php located in the www/cp/ directory structure, making them prime targets for malicious actors seeking unauthorized access to the system's database infrastructure.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from improper input validation and sanitization within the id parameter handling mechanism. When authenticated users with administrative privileges access these specific scripts, the application fails to properly escape or validate user-supplied input before incorporating it into SQL query construction. This allows attackers to inject malicious SQL commands through the id parameter, effectively bypassing normal authentication and authorization controls. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it requires only authenticated access, meaning that an attacker who has already compromised an administrative account or gained legitimate access to the system can exploit this flaw without additional authentication requirements.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability exposes the entire advertising infrastructure to potential compromise. Successful exploitation enables attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands against the backend database, potentially leading to complete system takeover, data exfiltration, or manipulation of advertising campaigns. The implications extend beyond simple data theft, as attackers could modify campaign parameters, redirect traffic, or inject malicious code into the advertising delivery system. This poses significant risks to both the platform operators and their advertising partners who rely on the integrity of the ad serving environment. The vulnerability directly aligns with CWE-89, which categorizes SQL injection flaws as a fundamental weakness in software design that allows attackers to manipulate database queries through untrusted input.
The exploitation of this vulnerability follows established attack patterns documented in the MITRE ATT&CK framework, particularly mapping to techniques involving command execution and privilege escalation. Attackers can leverage this flaw to gain deeper system access, potentially moving laterally within the network infrastructure. The authenticated nature of the vulnerability means that attackers don't need to perform extensive reconnaissance or social engineering to gain initial access, as they only need to obtain valid administrative credentials. This makes the vulnerability particularly attractive to threat actors who may have already compromised user accounts through other means. Security practitioners should consider implementing comprehensive monitoring for unusual database query patterns and parameter manipulation attempts, as these activities often precede successful exploitation of SQL injection vulnerabilities.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2014-2654 should prioritize immediate patching of affected systems to the latest version of MobFox mAdserve that addresses this vulnerability. Organizations should also implement proper input validation and parameterized queries throughout the application codebase to prevent similar issues from occurring in other components. Network segmentation and access control measures can limit the potential impact of successful exploitation by restricting access to administrative functions. Additionally, regular security audits and penetration testing should be conducted to identify and remediate other potential injection vulnerabilities. The implementation of web application firewalls and database activity monitoring systems can provide additional layers of protection against exploitation attempts, while maintaining audit trails that can help identify compromise indicators.