CVE-2018-5978 in Facebook Style Php Ajax Chat Zechat
Summary
by MITRE
SQL Injection exists in Facebook Style Php Ajax Chat Zechat 1.5 via the login.php User field.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/31/2025
The vulnerability CVE-2018-5978 represents a critical sql injection flaw in the Facebook Style Php Ajax Chat Zechat 1.5 application, specifically targeting the login.php script's User field parameter. This vulnerability falls under the CWE-89 category of SQL Injection, which is classified as a severe security weakness in the CWE top 25 most dangerous software weaknesses list. The flaw allows attackers to manipulate the database query execution by injecting malicious sql code through the user input field during the authentication process. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it occurs in the login mechanism, which is one of the most frequently accessed components of any web application, making it an attractive target for exploitation.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from improper input validation and sanitization within the login.php script. When users attempt to authenticate through the chat application, the system directly incorporates the User field value into a sql query without adequate escaping or parameterization. This creates an opportunity for attackers to inject malicious sql payloads that can manipulate the database behavior. The vulnerability is classified as a blind sql injection since the application does not provide direct error messages, but rather returns different responses based on the success or failure of the injected sql commands. Attackers can leverage this weakness to extract database contents, modify user credentials, or even escalate privileges within the application's database layer.
The operational impact of CVE-2018-5978 extends beyond simple data theft, as it provides attackers with potential access to the entire user database and associated chat records. Successful exploitation could lead to unauthorized access to user accounts, enabling attackers to impersonate legitimate users, read private messages, or modify chat history. The vulnerability also poses risks to the broader system infrastructure since chat applications often store sensitive user information, including personal details and communication logs. From an attacker's perspective, this vulnerability aligns with the ATT&CK technique T1213.002 for Data from Information Repositories, allowing for systematic extraction of user credentials and chat data. The low complexity of exploitation makes this vulnerability particularly dangerous as it requires minimal technical skill to leverage effectively.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2018-5978 should prioritize immediate implementation of proper input validation and parameterized queries. The most effective solution involves implementing prepared statements with bound parameters for all database interactions, which completely eliminates the risk of sql injection by separating the sql command structure from the user input data. Additionally, developers should implement strict input validation on the User field to reject potentially malicious characters and patterns commonly used in sql injection attacks. The application should also enforce proper authentication mechanisms including account lockout policies and rate limiting to prevent automated exploitation attempts. Organizations should conduct regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning to identify similar weaknesses in other components of their web applications, as sql injection vulnerabilities often occur in multiple locations within complex systems. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of keeping web applications updated with the latest security patches, as this particular flaw was present in version 1.5 and likely resolved in subsequent releases.