CVE-2014-3935 in Glossaire module
Summary
by MITRE
SQL injection vulnerability in glossaire-aff.php in the Glossaire module 1.0 for XOOPS allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via the lettre parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/04/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2014-3935 represents a critical sql injection flaw within the glossaire module version 1.0 for the XOOPS content management framework. This security weakness exists in the glossaire-aff.php script which processes user input through the lettre parameter, creating an avenue for malicious actors to manipulate database queries and potentially gain unauthorized access to sensitive information. The vulnerability specifically targets the glossaire module, which is designed to provide a glossary functionality within XOOPS installations, making it a legitimate component that could be exploited by attackers who understand the application's architecture.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when the lettre parameter is not properly sanitized or validated before being incorporated into sql queries. This allows attackers to inject malicious sql code that can be executed by the database engine, potentially enabling them to extract, modify, or delete data from the underlying database. The flaw stems from inadequate input validation practices where user-supplied data is directly concatenated into sql statements without proper escaping or parameterization, creating a classic sql injection attack vector. According to the common weakness enumeration framework, this vulnerability maps to CWE-89 which specifically addresses sql injection vulnerabilities where untrusted data is incorporated into sql commands without proper sanitization.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft, as successful exploitation can lead to complete database compromise and potential system infiltration. Attackers could leverage this vulnerability to escalate privileges, access administrative functions, or even use the compromised database as a foothold for further attacks within the network infrastructure. The remote nature of the attack means that exploitation does not require physical access to the system, making it particularly dangerous for web applications that are publicly accessible. This vulnerability directly aligns with tactics described in the mitre ATT&CK framework under the execution and credential access domains, where attackers can use sql injection to execute arbitrary commands and extract credentials or sensitive data.
Organizations using the affected glossaire module version 1.0 should immediately implement mitigations including input validation, parameterized queries, and proper output encoding to prevent malicious sql code from being executed. The recommended approach involves sanitizing all user input through proper validation techniques and implementing prepared statements that separate sql logic from data, thereby preventing the injection of malicious commands. Additionally, access controls should be reviewed to ensure that database connections use minimal required privileges, and regular security audits should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities within the application codebase. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of keeping content management systems and their modules updated to prevent exploitation of known security flaws that have been patched in newer versions.