CVE-2018-6367 in Buddy Zone Facebook Clone
Summary
by MITRE
SQL Injection exists in Vastal I-Tech Buddy Zone Facebook Clone 2.9.9 via the /chat_im/chat_window.php request_id parameter or the /search_events.php category parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/24/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-6367 represents a critical SQL injection flaw within the Vastal I-Tech Buddy Zone Facebook Clone version 2.9.9 web application. This security weakness exposes the platform to unauthorized data access and potential system compromise through malicious SQL commands injected via specific HTTP parameters. The vulnerability affects two distinct endpoints within the application's communication framework, creating multiple attack vectors for threat actors seeking to exploit the underlying database infrastructure.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and sanitization practices within the application's PHP scripts. Specifically, the /chat_im/chat_window.php endpoint accepts a request_id parameter that is directly incorporated into SQL query constructions without proper parameterization or escaping mechanisms. Similarly, the /search_events.php endpoint processes a category parameter that suffers from identical security shortcomings. These flaws align with CWE-89, which categorizes SQL injection as a weakness where untrusted data is embedded into SQL commands, enabling attackers to manipulate database queries and potentially execute arbitrary SQL code. The vulnerability demonstrates a classic lack of proper input sanitization that violates fundamental secure coding practices.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft, potentially enabling full database compromise and unauthorized administrative access. Attackers can exploit these injection points to extract sensitive user information, including personal details, authentication credentials, and private communications stored within the application's database. The attack surface is particularly concerning given that the vulnerable application appears to be a social networking platform where user privacy and data integrity are paramount. Successful exploitation could lead to identity theft, unauthorized account takeovers, and the potential for lateral movement within network infrastructure if the database server shares resources with other systems. This vulnerability directly maps to several ATT&CK tactics including T1071.004 for application layer protocol usage and T1213.002 for data from information repositories, emphasizing the comprehensive nature of the threat.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2018-6367 must address both immediate remediation and long-term architectural improvements. The primary solution involves implementing proper parameterized queries or prepared statements throughout the application codebase, particularly for all database interactions involving user-supplied input. Input validation should be strengthened at multiple layers, including client-side and server-side sanitization, with strict whitelisting of acceptable parameter values. The application should also implement proper error handling that prevents sensitive database information from being exposed to end users. Additionally, access controls should be enforced to limit database permissions to the minimum required for application functionality. Security monitoring should be enhanced to detect anomalous database query patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts, while regular security audits should verify that similar vulnerabilities do not exist in other application components. The fix should also include implementing proper session management and authentication mechanisms to prevent unauthorized access to sensitive application features.