CVE-2017-6089 in phpCollab
Summary
by MITRE
SQL injection vulnerability in PhpCollab 2.5.1 and earlier allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via the (1) project or id parameters to topics/deletetopics.php; the (2) id parameter to bookmarks/deletebookmarks.php; or the (3) id parameter to calendar/deletecalendar.php.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/18/2025
The CVE-2017-6089 vulnerability represents a critical sql injection flaw affecting PhpCollab versions 2.5.1 and earlier, exposing organizations to significant remote execution risks. This vulnerability resides within the web application's input validation mechanisms, specifically targeting three distinct deletion endpoints that process user-supplied parameters without proper sanitization. The affected parameters include project and id fields in topics/deletetopics.php, the id parameter in bookmarks/deletebookmarks.php, and the id parameter in calendar/deletecalendar.php, creating multiple attack vectors for malicious actors seeking unauthorized database access.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability stems from the application's failure to properly validate and sanitize user input before incorporating it into sql query constructs. When attackers submit malicious payloads through the vulnerable parameters, the application directly appends these inputs to database queries without adequate filtering or parameterization. This design flaw aligns with CWE-89, which categorizes sql injection as a fundamental weakness in application security where untrusted data is used to construct sql commands. The vulnerability operates at the application layer, specifically targeting the data access components that handle deletion operations for project topics, bookmarks, and calendar entries.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents a severe threat to organizational security posture as it enables remote attackers to execute arbitrary sql commands on the underlying database server. Successful exploitation could allow attackers to extract sensitive data, modify or delete critical information, escalate privileges within the database, or potentially gain further access to the underlying server infrastructure. The impact extends beyond simple data compromise as attackers could leverage this vulnerability to establish persistent access, modify application logic, or disrupt business operations through data destruction. The vulnerability's remote nature means that attackers do not require physical access to the system or prior authentication, making it particularly dangerous for web-facing applications.
The exploitation of this vulnerability typically follows a pattern where attackers craft malicious sql payloads that manipulate the deletion endpoints to perform unauthorized database operations. Attackers may use techniques such as union-based sql injection, time-based blind injection, or error-based extraction to gain access to sensitive information or execute commands. The vulnerability's presence across multiple deletion endpoints increases the attack surface and provides attackers with multiple opportunities to achieve their objectives. Organizations should consider this vulnerability in the context of broader attack patterns documented in the mitre attack framework, particularly those related to initial access and execution phases where sql injection serves as a common entry point for database-related attacks.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-6089 require immediate action to address the underlying sql injection vulnerability through proper input validation, parameterized queries, and application code review. Organizations should prioritize upgrading to PhpCollab versions that have addressed this vulnerability, as the maintainers have released patched versions that properly sanitize user inputs before incorporating them into database queries. Implementing proper input validation frameworks, using prepared statements or parameterized queries, and applying web application firewalls can provide additional layers of protection. Regular security assessments and code reviews should focus on identifying similar input validation weaknesses in other application components to prevent analogous vulnerabilities from being introduced. The remediation process should also include comprehensive testing to ensure that the patched version properly handles all user inputs and maintains application functionality while eliminating the sql injection risk.