CVE-2016-15031 in PHP-Login
Summary
by MITRE • 05/06/2023
A vulnerability was found in PHP-Login 1.0. It has been declared as critical. This vulnerability affects the function checkLogin of the file login/scripts/class.loginscript.php of the component POST Parameter Handler. The manipulation of the argument myusername leads to sql injection. The attack can be initiated remotely. Upgrading to version 2.0 is able to address this issue. The name of the patch is 0083ec652786ddbb81335ea20da590df40035679. It is recommended to upgrade the affected component. VDB-228022 is the identifier assigned to this vulnerability.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/27/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-15031 represents a critical sql injection flaw within PHP-Login version 1.0, specifically within the login/scripts/class.loginscript.php file. This vulnerability manifests in the checkLogin function where the myusername parameter is improperly handled, creating an avenue for malicious actors to manipulate database queries through crafted input. The flaw exists in the POST parameter handler component, which processes user authentication requests, making it a core element of the application's security architecture.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when an attacker submits malicious input through the myusername parameter, which then flows directly into sql query construction without proper sanitization or parameterization. This allows attackers to inject arbitrary sql commands that can be executed against the underlying database, potentially leading to unauthorized data access, data modification, or complete database compromise. The remote attack vector means that no local system access is required to exploit this vulnerability, significantly increasing its threat surface and impact potential.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft, as it can enable attackers to escalate privileges, access sensitive user information, modify authentication mechanisms, or even gain administrative control over the affected system. The vulnerability affects the fundamental authentication process of the application, potentially compromising all user accounts and undermining the entire security posture of systems relying on this login component. This type of vulnerability directly violates security principles outlined in CWE-89 sql injection, which specifically addresses the improper handling of user input in sql contexts.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate action to upgrade the affected PHP-Login component to version 2.0, which contains the necessary patch identified by the commit hash 0083ec652786ddbb81335ea20da590df40035679. Organizations should also implement proper input validation and parameterized queries as defensive measures, though the primary recommendation remains the immediate upgrade to address the root cause. The vulnerability's classification as critical aligns with ATT&CK technique T1190 for exploiting vulnerabilities in authentication systems, highlighting the importance of addressing authentication-related flaws promptly. Security teams should conduct thorough assessments of all systems using this component and ensure that proper patch management procedures are in place to prevent similar vulnerabilities from being introduced through outdated software components.