CVE-2018-5979 in Wchat Fully Responsive PHP AJAX Chat Script
Summary
by MITRE
SQL Injection exists in Wchat Fully Responsive PHP AJAX Chat Script 1.5 via the login.php User field.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/09/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-5979 represents a critical SQL injection flaw within the Wchat Fully Responsive PHP AJAX Chat Script version 1.5. This vulnerability specifically affects the login.php script where user input is improperly handled in the User field parameter. The flaw allows malicious actors to inject arbitrary SQL commands through crafted input, potentially compromising the entire database backend of the chat application. The vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and sanitization mechanisms that fail to properly escape or filter user-supplied data before incorporating it into SQL query constructs.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-89 which categorizes improper neutralization of special elements used in SQL commands as a primary weakness. Attackers can exploit this by submitting malicious input in the username field during the login process, enabling them to manipulate the underlying database queries. The vulnerability occurs because the application directly concatenates user input into SQL statements without proper parameterization or input sanitization, creating an environment where SQL commands can be injected and executed with the privileges of the database user account. This type of injection can lead to unauthorized data access, data manipulation, and potentially full system compromise depending on the database configuration and access controls in place.
The operational impact of CVE-2018-5979 extends beyond simple data theft, as it provides attackers with potential pathways for privilege escalation and persistent access to the affected system. Successful exploitation could result in the complete disclosure of user credentials, chat logs, and other sensitive information stored within the database. The vulnerability's accessibility through the login interface makes it particularly dangerous as it requires minimal prerequisites for exploitation, potentially allowing attackers to gain unauthorized access to user accounts and their associated chat histories. This creates risks for privacy violations, data breaches, and potential use of compromised accounts for further malicious activities within the chat environment.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on implementing proper input validation and parameterized queries throughout the application codebase. The recommended approach involves adopting prepared statements with parameter binding to ensure that user input is treated as data rather than executable code. Additionally, implementing proper input sanitization techniques and validating all user-supplied data against established character sets and length constraints can prevent malicious payloads from being processed. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls to detect and block suspicious SQL injection patterns, while conducting regular security audits and code reviews to identify similar vulnerabilities. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this type of vulnerability under T1190 - Exploit Public-Facing Application, emphasizing the need for proper application hardening and input validation as primary defensive measures. Regular patch management and security updates should be implemented immediately upon availability of fixes from the vendor to protect against exploitation attempts.