In PHP versions 8.0.* before 8.0.27, 8.1.* before 8.1.15, and 8.2.* before 8.2.2, a critical vulnerability exists when using the PDO::quote() function to quote user-supplied data for SQLite. Supplying an overly long string may lead to incorrect quoting of the data, potentially resulting in SQL injection vulnerabilities. This issue has been classified with a CVSS score of 9.1, indicating a critical severity level that organizations must address.
Risk to organizations includes unauthorized access to sensitive data and potential data manipulation through SQL injection attacks. As the vulnerability allows for remote exploitation without requiring authentication, it poses a significant threat to systems utilizing vulnerable PHP versions. Organizations should prioritize patching immediately to mitigate the risk associated with this vulnerability.
Currently, there are no known exploits in the wild for this vulnerability, but the potential for exploitation remains high, given the nature of the issue. Organizations using affected PHP versions should take immediate action to update their systems to secure versions to prevent any potential attack.
The urgency for defenders is critical. Immediate patching is essential to protect against potential SQL injection vulnerabilities that could compromise the integrity and confidentiality of data.
Vulnerability Details
This vulnerability allows for SQL injection due to improper handling of user input when using the PDO::quote() function. The issue arises specifically when overly long strings are supplied, causing the driver to incorrectly quote the data. The vulnerability has been assigned a CVSS score of 9.1, indicating its critical nature, and has been categorized under CWE-74, which refers to improper neutralization of special elements used in an SQL command.
The affected products include PHP versions prior to 8.0.27, 8.1.15, and 8.2.2. The vulnerability was published on February 12, 2025, and continues to pose a risk to any systems still running these versions.
Technical Analysis
The root cause of this vulnerability lies in how the PDO::quote() function handles user-supplied data. When an overly long string is provided, the function fails to properly quote the data, leading to potential SQL injection vulnerabilities. The attack vector is network-based, with low complexity, and does not require any privileges or user interaction. The confidentiality and integrity impacts are classified as high, while there is no impact on availability.
Risk & Impact Analysis
Real-world deployment of affected PHP versions can lead to severe data breaches if exploited. Organizations using these PHP versions are at significant risk of SQL injection attacks, which could allow attackers to manipulate databases and extract sensitive information. The blast radius is extensive, as many applications rely on PHP and SQLite for data handling, making it vital for organizations to address this vulnerability promptly.
Given the CVSS score of 9.1 and the absence of known exploits, organizations should not become complacent. The potential for exploitation remains, and organizations should assess their exposure and prioritize remediation based on their specific risk profile.
Organizations should address in priority patch cycle to ensure that they are not vulnerable to potential SQL injection attacks that could arise from this vulnerability.
Exploitation Status
Signal | Status |
|---|---|
Known Exploit | No |
Public PoC | No |
Actively Exploited | No |
Ransomware Use | No |
Affected Versions
The vulnerability affects PHP versions 8.0.0 to 8.0.26, 8.1.0 to 8.1.14, and 8.2.0 to 8.2.1. Organizations using any of these versions should plan to upgrade to the latest available versions to mitigate this risk.
Mitigation & Remediation
Organizations should patch their PHP installations to versions 8.0.27, 8.1.15, or 8.2.2, or later. If immediate patching is not possible, implementing input validation to limit the length of user-supplied strings can serve as a temporary workaround. Additionally, organizations should consider configuration hardening to limit SQL injection vectors.
For further security measures, organizations can engage in penetration testing to identify potential vulnerabilities in their applications.
Detection Guidance
Organizations should monitor logs for unexpected input patterns and potential SQL errors that could indicate exploitation attempts. Behavioral anomalies in database interactions should also be closely tracked to identify potential misuse.
AppSecure Threat Intelligence Insight
This vulnerability highlights the ongoing challenges associated with input validation in user-supplied data. Security teams should regularly review their coding practices for handling user input and consider utilizing automated tools to assist in identifying vulnerabilities during development.
In addition, organizations should stay informed about best practices in penetration testing methodology and consider developing a comprehensive vulnerability management program to proactively address such vulnerabilities.
Ultimately, understanding and addressing the implications of vulnerabilities like CVE-2022-31631 is crucial for maintaining the security posture of any organization.
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.

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