CVE-2026-76205 in PhpMyfaq
Summary
by MITRE • 08/19/2026
phpMyFAQ before 4.1.7 contains a SQL injection vulnerability in the glossary create and update endpoints caused by truncating an escaped string before embedding it in a SQL literal. Authenticated users with glossary add or edit permissions can craft a payload with a dangling backslash to escape the closing quote and inject arbitrary SQL commands to read sensitive database information.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/19/2026
The vulnerability identified in phpMyFAQ versions prior to 4.1.7 represents a critical SQL injection flaw located within the glossary management endpoints, specifically affecting the create and update operations. This security defect stems from an improper handling of string escaping mechanisms during the preparation of database queries. The core technical issue arises because the application truncates or modifies escaped strings before they are embedded directly into SQL literals. In standard secure coding practices, input data should be either parameterized using prepared statements to completely separate code from data, or strictly sanitized and properly quoted without modification that could alter its structural integrity relative to the SQL syntax. By altering the string after escaping but before execution, the application inadvertently creates an opening for attackers to manipulate the query structure.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is significant because it allows authenticated users who possess glossary add or edit permissions to execute arbitrary SQL commands against the underlying database. An attacker can craft a malicious payload utilizing a dangling backslash character. This specific technique exploits how certain databases interpret escape sequences, allowing the trailing slash to neutralize the closing quote that was intended to terminate the string literal. Once this quote is escaped, the remainder of the injected command becomes part of the SQL statement itself rather than being treated as data. Consequently, an attacker can read sensitive database information, potentially exposing user credentials, personal identifiable information stored in the glossary or associated tables, and other confidential system details that were not intended to be accessible through this interface.
From a classification perspective, this vulnerability aligns with CWE-89 Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an SQL Command, commonly known as SQL Injection. The specific mechanism involving string truncation prior to query execution highlights a failure in input validation and sanitization processes. In the context of the MITRE ATT&CK framework, this exploitation technique falls under T1059 Command Scripting or more specifically relates to data exfiltration techniques where an attacker leverages SQL injection to extract data from the database backend. The requirement for authentication indicates that while remote unauthenticated access is not possible, any compromised account with low-level privileges can be escalated in terms of impact by leveraging this flaw to gain broader read access to the entire database schema and contents.
Mitigation strategies must focus on immediate remediation through software updates as well as defensive coding practices. The primary solution is to upgrade phpMyFAQ to version 4.1.7 or later, where the developers have addressed the string handling logic in the glossary endpoints. For environments where upgrading is not immediately feasible, implementing a Web Application Firewall can provide temporary protection by detecting and blocking SQL injection patterns associated with dangling backslashes and unusual query structures. Furthermore, application code reviews should enforce the use of parameterized queries or prepared statements for all database interactions involving user-supplied input. This approach ensures that data is never interpreted as executable code, thereby eliminating the possibility of structural manipulation regardless of how special characters are escaped or truncated within the application logic.