CVE-2014-5275 in Text Chat Rooms
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple SQL injection vulnerabilities in includes/functions.php in Pro Chat Rooms Text Chat Rooms 8.2.0 allow remote authenticated users to execute arbitrary SQL commands via the (1) password, (2) email, or (3) id parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/18/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2014-5275 represents a critical security flaw in Pro Chat Rooms Text Chat Rooms version 8.2.0, specifically within the includes/functions.php file. This issue manifests as multiple SQL injection vulnerabilities that can be exploited by remote authenticated users to execute arbitrary SQL commands against the underlying database system. The vulnerability affects three distinct parameter fields including password, email, and id, which are processed without proper input sanitization or parameterization mechanisms.
From a technical perspective, the flaw stems from improper handling of user-supplied input within the application's database interaction layer. When authenticated users submit data through these vulnerable parameters, the application directly incorporates the input into SQL query construction without adequate validation or escaping mechanisms. This creates an environment where maliciously crafted input can alter the intended query structure and potentially execute unauthorized database operations. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-89 which specifically addresses SQL injection flaws, and represents a classic example of insufficient input validation in database interactions. The attack vector requires only authenticated access, making it particularly dangerous as it can be exploited by users who already have legitimate access to the system.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft, as it provides attackers with the ability to manipulate, modify, or delete database records at will. An attacker could potentially escalate privileges, extract sensitive user information including passwords stored in the database, or even gain deeper system access through database-level attacks. The authentication requirement reduces the attack surface compared to unauthenticated vulnerabilities, but does not eliminate the severity of potential damage. This vulnerability can lead to complete system compromise if the database contains administrative credentials or if the database user has elevated privileges. Organizations utilizing this software would face significant risk of data breaches, user account compromise, and potential regulatory compliance violations.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2014-5275 should focus on immediate remediation through proper input validation and parameterized queries. The most effective approach involves implementing prepared statements or parameterized queries throughout the application's database interaction code, ensuring that user input is never directly concatenated into SQL commands. Additionally, implementing proper input sanitization routines and validating all user-supplied parameters against expected formats will significantly reduce the attack surface. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls to detect and block suspicious SQL injection patterns, though this should complement rather than replace proper code-level fixes. Regular security auditing and penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other parts of the application, as this represents a common pattern in legacy codebases that may contain additional injection points. The remediation process should follow established security frameworks such as those recommended by the OWASP Top Ten project, which specifically addresses SQL injection as a critical web application vulnerability requiring immediate attention.