CVE-2014-7257 in DBD::PgPP
Summary
by MITRE
SQL injection vulnerability in DBD::PgPP 0.05 and earlier
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/10/2024
The SQL injection vulnerability identified as CVE-2014-7257 affects the DBD::PgPP Perl database driver version 0.05 and earlier, representing a critical security flaw that allows attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands through improper input validation. This vulnerability resides within the PostgreSQL database connectivity module that Perl applications use to interact with PostgreSQL databases, making it particularly dangerous for web applications and server-side scripts that rely on database operations. The flaw stems from insufficient sanitization of user-supplied input parameters that are directly incorporated into SQL query construction without proper escaping or parameterization mechanisms.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs when the DBD::PgPP driver fails to properly escape special characters in user input before inserting them into SQL queries. Attackers can exploit this weakness by crafting malicious input that contains SQL metacharacters such as single quotes, semicolons, or comment delimiters that alter the intended query structure. When the vulnerable driver processes these inputs, it concatenates them directly into SQL statements without adequate protection, enabling attackers to inject additional SQL commands that execute with the privileges of the database user. This type of vulnerability maps directly to CWE-89, which specifically addresses SQL injection flaws in software applications.
The operational impact of CVE-2014-7257 extends beyond simple data theft, as successful exploitation can lead to complete database compromise including unauthorized data modification, deletion, or extraction of sensitive information. Attackers may escalate privileges to gain administrative access to the database system, potentially leading to broader system compromise and lateral movement within network environments. The vulnerability affects any application using Perl's DBD::PgPP driver for PostgreSQL connections, making it particularly concerning for enterprise applications, web services, and database-driven systems that handle sensitive data. Security frameworks such as MITRE ATT&CK categorize this vulnerability under the T1190 technique for exploitation of remote services, with potential for T1078 credential access through database privilege escalation.
Organizations should immediately upgrade to DBD::PgPP version 0.06 or later, which contains the necessary patches to address the SQL injection vulnerability. System administrators should implement comprehensive input validation and parameterized query approaches as defensive measures, while also monitoring database logs for suspicious activity that may indicate exploitation attempts. Additionally, network segmentation and principle of least privilege access controls should be enforced to limit potential damage from successful attacks. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of keeping database connectivity libraries updated and following secure coding practices that prevent injection attacks through proper input sanitization and parameterized queries.