CVE-2012-1124
📋 TL;DR
This SQL injection vulnerability in phxEventManager allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands through the search_terms parameter in search.php. Attackers can potentially read, modify, or delete database content, and in worst cases achieve remote code execution. All users running phxEventManager 2.0 beta 5 are affected.
💻 Affected Systems
- phxEventManager
📦 What is this software?
Phxeventmanager by Phxeventmanager Project
⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact
Worst Case
Complete system compromise including remote code execution, database destruction, and unauthorized access to sensitive data
Likely Case
Database information disclosure, data manipulation, and potential privilege escalation
If Mitigated
Limited impact with proper input validation and database permissions in place
🎯 Exploit Status
Multiple public exploits available, trivial to exploit with basic SQL injection knowledge
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: Later versions after 2.0 beta 5
Vendor Advisory: http://sourceforge.net/tracker/?func=detail&aid=3496086&group_id=123602&atid=697109
Restart Required: No
Instructions:
1. Upgrade to latest version of phxEventManager
2. Apply input validation and parameterized queries to search.php
3. Review and test the fix
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Input Validation Filter
allAdd input validation to sanitize search_terms parameter
Modify search.php to include: $search_terms = mysqli_real_escape_string($connection, $_POST['search_terms']);
WAF Rule
allImplement web application firewall rules to block SQL injection patterns
Add WAF rule: deny patterns containing SQL keywords like UNION, SELECT, INSERT, DROP
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Disable search functionality entirely
- Implement strict network segmentation and limit database permissions
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Test search.php with SQL injection payload: search_terms=' OR '1'='1Check Version:
Check phxEventManager version in admin panel or configuration filesVerify Fix Applied:
Test with same payload after fix - should return error or no results📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Unusual SQL queries in database logs
- Multiple failed search attempts with special characters
- Long search parameter values
Network Indicators:
- HTTP POST requests to search.php with SQL keywords
- Unusual database connection patterns from web server
SIEM Query:
source=web_logs AND uri="/search.php" AND (search_terms CONTAINS "UNION" OR search_terms CONTAINS "SELECT" OR search_terms CONTAINS "--")🔗 References
- http://seclists.org/fulldisclosure/2012/Mar/4
- http://sourceforge.net/tracker/?func=detail&aid=3496086&group_id=123602&atid=697109
- http://www.exploit-db.com/exploits/18549
- http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2012/03/06/10
- http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2012/03/06/2
- http://seclists.org/fulldisclosure/2012/Mar/4
- http://sourceforge.net/tracker/?func=detail&aid=3496086&group_id=123602&atid=697109
- http://www.exploit-db.com/exploits/18549
- http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2012/03/06/10
- http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2012/03/06/2
