CVE-2014-5308 in TestLink
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple SQL injection vulnerabilities in TestLink 1.9.11 allow remote authenticated users to execute arbitrary SQL commands via the (1) name parameter in a Search action to lib/project/projectView.php or (2) id parameter to lib/events/eventinfo.php.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/25/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2014-5308 represents a critical SQL injection flaw affecting TestLink version 1.9.11, a widely used test management tool that facilitates software testing processes. This vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation within the application's web interface, specifically targeting two distinct endpoints that handle user-provided data. The flaw allows authenticated attackers to manipulate database queries through carefully crafted inputs, potentially leading to unauthorized data access, modification, or deletion. The vulnerability impacts the core functionality of TestLink by compromising the integrity of its database operations and exposing sensitive testing information to malicious actors who can leverage these weaknesses for further exploitation.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability manifests through two primary attack vectors within the application's codebase. The first vector involves the name parameter within the Search action of lib/project/projectView.php, while the second involves the id parameter in lib/events/eventinfo.php. Both locations fail to properly sanitize or escape user-supplied input before incorporating it into SQL query constructs, creating opportunities for attackers to inject malicious SQL code. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-89, which categorizes SQL injection as a fundamental weakness in application security where untrusted data is directly included in SQL commands without proper validation or escaping mechanisms. This flaw operates at the application layer and requires authentication to exploit, making it particularly concerning as it can be leveraged by insiders or compromised accounts with legitimate access to the system.
The operational impact of CVE-2014-5308 extends beyond simple data manipulation to encompass significant security risks for organizations relying on TestLink for their software testing workflows. Attackers exploiting this vulnerability can potentially access sensitive test data, including test cases, test results, and project information that may contain confidential business data or intellectual property. The authenticated nature of the attack means that even a low-privilege user account could be leveraged to escalate their privileges within the database, potentially leading to complete system compromise. This vulnerability also creates opportunities for attackers to modify test results, corrupt test data, or even delete entire project records, disrupting testing processes and potentially compromising software quality assurance. The impact is particularly severe in environments where TestLink manages critical software development projects with sensitive data, as it directly threatens the integrity of the testing infrastructure that organizations depend upon for software delivery quality.
Organizations affected by this vulnerability should implement immediate mitigations including input validation and parameterized queries to prevent SQL injection attacks. The recommended approach involves implementing proper input sanitization techniques that validate and escape all user-provided data before incorporating it into database operations, aligning with security best practices established by the OWASP Top Ten and the MITRE ATT&CK framework. System administrators should also consider implementing database activity monitoring and access controls to detect unauthorized database access attempts. The most effective long-term solution involves upgrading to a patched version of TestLink that addresses these vulnerabilities, as the original affected version contains multiple security flaws that could be exploited for additional attack vectors. Additionally, implementing network segmentation and application-level firewalls can help limit the potential impact of such vulnerabilities by restricting access to critical application components and providing additional layers of protection against unauthorized database access attempts.