CVE-2014-9457 in PMB
Summary
by MITRE
SQL injection vulnerability in classes/mono_display.class.php in PMB 4.1.3 and earlier allows remote authenticated users to execute arbitrary SQL commands via the id parameter to catalog.php.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/10/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2014-9457 represents a critical SQL injection flaw within the PMB library management system version 4.1.3 and earlier. This security weakness exists in the classes/mono_display.class.php file and specifically affects the catalog.php script where user input is improperly handled. The vulnerability is classified as a remote authenticated attack vector, meaning that an attacker must first establish legitimate credentials to exploit the flaw, but once authenticated, they can leverage this weakness to execute arbitrary SQL commands against the underlying database system. The attack exploits the id parameter which is directly incorporated into SQL queries without proper sanitization or parameterization, creating an avenue for malicious input to be interpreted as executable SQL code.
This vulnerability falls under the Common Weakness Enumeration category CWE-89, which specifically addresses SQL injection flaws where untrusted input is directly included in SQL command construction. The flaw demonstrates poor input validation practices and inadequate data sanitization mechanisms within the application's database interaction layer. The impact extends beyond simple data theft as the attacker can manipulate database records, potentially gaining elevated privileges or executing destructive operations on the system's data repository. The authenticated nature of the attack suggests that the application's session management and access controls are insufficient to prevent privilege escalation through database manipulation.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is significant for organizations utilizing PMB systems, as it provides attackers with the capability to bypass normal application security controls and directly access the database backend. An attacker with valid user credentials could potentially extract sensitive information including user accounts, system configurations, or proprietary data stored within the library management system. The vulnerability also poses risks to data integrity and availability, as malicious SQL commands could modify or delete critical database records, potentially disrupting library operations and compromising the reliability of the system. This weakness could also serve as a stepping stone for further attacks within a network infrastructure, particularly if the database server hosts other sensitive applications.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2014-9457 should focus on immediate patching of the affected PMB versions to address the root cause of the SQL injection vulnerability. Organizations should implement proper input validation and parameterized queries throughout the application codebase to prevent similar issues from occurring in the future. The implementation of prepared statements and stored procedures can effectively eliminate SQL injection risks by separating SQL command structure from data values. Additionally, organizations should enforce principle of least privilege for database accounts used by the application, ensuring that the database user has only necessary permissions to perform required operations. Network segmentation and monitoring solutions should be deployed to detect and prevent unauthorized access attempts, while regular security assessments and code reviews should be conducted to identify and remediate similar vulnerabilities in other application components. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under T1071.005 Application Layer Protocol: Web Protocols, highlighting the need for proper web application security controls and input validation measures.