CVE-2014-5192 in Sphider
Summary
by MITRE
SQL injection vulnerability in admin/admin.php in Sphider 1.3.6 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via the filter parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/11/2025
The CVE-2014-5192 vulnerability represents a critical sql injection flaw within the Sphider 136 web application that exposes administrators to remote code execution risks. This vulnerability specifically targets the adminadminphp file which serves as the administrative interface for the search engine software. The flaw arises from insufficient input validation and sanitization of user-supplied data, particularly when processing the filter parameter through the web interface. Attackers can exploit this weakness by crafting malicious sql payloads that bypass normal input filters and directly manipulate the database query execution process.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-89 sql injection classification, where the application fails to properly escape or validate user input before incorporating it into sql commands. The filter parameter in the admin interface accepts arbitrary input that gets directly concatenated into database queries without adequate sanitization measures. This creates an exploitable condition where an attacker can inject malicious sql syntax that alters the intended query behavior, potentially leading to unauthorized data access, modification, or deletion. The vulnerability exists due to the application's reliance on dynamic sql construction without proper parameterization or input validation mechanisms.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability poses severe risks to organizations utilizing Sphider 136 as their search solution. Remote attackers can leverage this flaw to gain unauthorized access to sensitive database information, including user credentials, configuration data, and potentially the entire content repository managed by the search engine. The impact extends beyond simple data theft as attackers may escalate privileges, modify administrative settings, or even compromise the underlying server infrastructure through database manipulation. The vulnerability's remote exploitability means that attackers do not require physical access or local network presence to initiate attacks, making it particularly dangerous for publicly accessible web applications.
The attack surface for this vulnerability encompasses all instances of Sphider 136 where the administrative interface is accessible and where the filter parameter is processed without proper input validation. Organizations using this software face immediate risk of data breaches and system compromise, especially if the administrative interface is exposed to untrusted networks. The vulnerability demonstrates poor security practices in input handling and database interaction that violates fundamental secure coding principles. According to ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability maps to technique T1190 for exploitation of remote services and T1078 for valid accounts, as attackers can potentially establish persistent access through database manipulation. Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including patching the software to version 137 or later, implementing web application firewalls, and conducting thorough security assessments of their search engine configurations.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2014-5192 should prioritize immediate software updates to the patched version of Sphider 137 where the input validation has been corrected. Network-level protections such as web application firewalls should be deployed to filter malicious sql injection attempts before they reach the vulnerable application layer. Input validation mechanisms must be strengthened to properly sanitize all user-supplied data, particularly parameters used in database queries. Database access controls should be reviewed to ensure that administrative accounts have least privilege access and that query execution permissions are properly restricted. Security monitoring should be enhanced to detect unusual database access patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts. Regular security assessments and penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other web applications within the organization's infrastructure, as this vulnerability type remains prevalent in many legacy systems.