CVE-2014-6045 in phpMyFAQ
Summary
by MITRE
SQL injection vulnerability in phpMyFAQ before 2.8.13 allows remote authenticated users with certain permissions to execute arbitrary SQL commands via vectors involving the restore function.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/30/2025
The CVE-2014-6045 vulnerability represents a critical sql injection flaw discovered in phpMyFAQ versions prior to 2.8.13, demonstrating a significant security weakness that could be exploited by authenticated attackers with specific privileges. This vulnerability specifically targets the restore function within the phpMyFAQ application, which serves as a database recovery mechanism for administrators. The flaw arises from inadequate input validation and sanitization within the restore functionality, allowing maliciously crafted parameters to be passed directly into sql execution contexts. According to the common weakness enumeration standard CWE-89, this vulnerability falls under the category of sql injection, where untrusted data is incorporated into sql commands without proper escaping or parameterization. The attack vector requires an authenticated user with sufficient permissions to access the restore function, typically administrative or advanced user accounts, making it particularly dangerous in environments where privileged access is not strictly controlled.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft, as it enables remote code execution through sql command injection. Attackers could potentially manipulate database structures, extract sensitive information, modify user accounts, or even escalate privileges within the application environment. The restore function in phpMyFAQ typically handles database backup and restoration operations, making it a high-value target for attackers seeking to compromise database integrity. When an authenticated user with appropriate permissions invokes the restore function, the application fails to properly validate or sanitize input parameters, allowing attackers to inject malicious sql payloads. This vulnerability aligns with the attack pattern described in the attack tree framework where authenticated users with specific permissions can leverage application functions to achieve unauthorized system access, representing a privilege escalation scenario that violates the principle of least privilege.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2014-6045 should focus on immediate patching of affected phpMyFAQ installations to version 2.8.13 or later, which includes proper input validation and parameterized query implementations. Organizations should implement strict access controls to limit who can access the restore functionality, ensuring that only essential administrative personnel have the required permissions. The remediation process should also include comprehensive input validation at multiple levels, including parameter sanitization and the implementation of prepared statements or parameterized queries to prevent sql injection attacks. Security teams should conduct regular vulnerability assessments to identify similar flaws in other application functions and establish proper code review processes that adhere to secure coding practices. Additionally, network segmentation and monitoring should be implemented to detect suspicious restore function usage patterns, as this vulnerability represents a specific attack surface that can be monitored for unauthorized access attempts. The incident underscores the importance of maintaining up-to-date software versions and implementing defense-in-depth strategies that protect against authenticated attack vectors targeting administrative functions within web applications.