CVE-2024-28107 in phpmyfaq
Summary
by MITRE • 03/25/2024
phpMyFAQ is an open source FAQ web application for PHP 8.1+ and MySQL, PostgreSQL and other databases. A SQL injection vulnerability has been discovered in the `insertentry` & `saveentry` when modifying records due to improper escaping of the email address. This allows any authenticated user with the rights to add/edit FAQ news to exploit this vulnerability to exfiltrate data, take over accounts and in some cases, even achieve RCE. This vulnerability is fixed in 3.2.6.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/10/2025
The CVE-2024-28107 vulnerability represents a critical SQL injection flaw within the phpMyFAQ application that affects versions prior to 3.2.6. This vulnerability specifically targets the `insertentry` and `saveentry` functions within the FAQ management system, where authenticated users with permission to add or edit FAQ entries can exploit the flaw. The vulnerability stems from inadequate input sanitization of email addresses when processing user data, creating a pathway for malicious actors to manipulate database queries through crafted input. The affected application architecture processes user-submitted email addresses without proper escaping mechanisms, allowing attackers to inject malicious SQL commands that bypass normal validation controls. This issue particularly impacts web applications that rely on phpMyFAQ for content management, where the vulnerability can be leveraged by users who already possess basic editing privileges within the system.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through the manipulation of email address fields during FAQ record modifications, where the application fails to properly escape special characters that could alter the intended SQL query structure. When an authenticated user submits an email address containing SQL injection payloads, the improperly escaped input allows attackers to inject additional SQL commands that execute within the database context. This flaw can be classified under CWE-89 as a SQL injection vulnerability, specifically manifesting as an improper input validation issue where user-supplied data is directly incorporated into database queries without adequate sanitization. The vulnerability's impact extends beyond simple data exfiltration, as it can enable account takeovers through session manipulation or privilege escalation attacks, and in certain configurations, could potentially lead to remote code execution if the underlying database system permits such operations.
The operational impact of CVE-2024-28107 is severe for organizations relying on phpMyFAQ for their knowledge management systems, as it transforms legitimate user permissions into potential attack vectors. Attackers with basic editing rights can exploit this vulnerability to extract sensitive information from the database, including user credentials, system configurations, and confidential FAQ content. The vulnerability's accessibility through standard user accounts means that even minor privilege levels can be leveraged for significant damage, making it particularly dangerous in environments where multiple users have editing capabilities. Organizations may experience data breaches, unauthorized access to sensitive information, and potential system compromise that could affect the integrity of their knowledge management infrastructure. The vulnerability also aligns with ATT&CK technique T1078.004 for valid accounts and T1213.002 for data from information repositories, demonstrating how authenticated access can be weaponized for data extraction and system compromise.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2024-28107 primarily focus on immediate remediation through the application of the official patch released in phpMyFAQ version 3.2.6, which implements proper input sanitization and escaping mechanisms for email addresses. System administrators should prioritize updating all affected phpMyFAQ installations to the patched version and conduct thorough security audits of user permissions to minimize the attack surface. Additional protective measures include implementing proper database access controls, monitoring for unusual database query patterns, and establishing robust input validation at multiple layers of the application architecture. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls to detect and block common SQL injection patterns, while maintaining regular security assessments of their phpMyFAQ installations. The vulnerability highlights the importance of proper input handling and the necessity of following secure coding practices that prevent injection attacks, particularly when dealing with user-supplied data in database operations. Security teams should also implement principle of least privilege access controls to limit the potential impact of compromised accounts and establish monitoring procedures to detect unauthorized data access attempts.