In PHP versions 8.2.* before 8.2.31, 8.3.* before 8.3.31, 8.4.* before 8.4.21, and 8.5.* before 8.5.6, the PDO Firebird driver improperly handles NUL bytes when preparing SQL queries. This vulnerability allows SQL injection when attacker-controlled values are quoted via PDO::quote() and embedded in SQL statements. The failure occurs due to improper token handling, which results in dropping closing quotes.
The CVSS score for this vulnerability is 7.4, indicating a high severity level. Organizations should be aware that the attack vector is network-based, with a low attack complexity and no privileges required. Active user interaction is necessary, which increases the risk of exploitation.
Risk to organizations includes unauthorized access and data manipulation through SQL injection attacks, potentially compromising confidentiality, integrity, and availability. Given the implications of this vulnerability, organizations should prioritize patching immediately.
Currently, there are no known exploits or public proof of concept for this vulnerability, but the potential for exploitation remains high due to the nature of the flaw.
Vulnerability Details
The vulnerability affects the PDO Firebird driver in specific versions of PHP, where the improper handling of NUL bytes can lead to SQL injection attacks. The official description states that during token-by-token query construction, a string token containing a NUL byte is copied via strncat(), dropping the closing quote and causing subsequent SQL tokens to be interpreted as part of the string. This results in critical breaches of database security.
Technical Analysis
The root cause of this vulnerability lies in the improper handling of string tokens by the PDO Firebird driver when preparing SQL queries. The attack vector is network-based, meaning that an attacker can exploit this vulnerability remotely without physical access to the affected system.
The attack complexity is low, and no privileges are required for exploitation, making it accessible to a wide range of potential attackers. User interaction is required for the attack to succeed, which could involve tricking a user into executing malicious queries.
The confidentiality, integrity, and availability impacts are all rated as high, indicating that successful exploitation could lead to complete control over the affected database and its data.
Risk & Impact Analysis
Organizations using affected versions of PHP face significant risks, especially those deploying web applications that rely on the PDO Firebird driver. The potential for attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands could lead to severe data breaches and operational disruptions.
The blast radius for this vulnerability is considerable, as it can affect any application utilizing the vulnerable PHP versions. The urgency level is high, given that exploitation may lead to unauthorized access and data manipulation.
Organizations should monitor their systems closely and apply necessary patches to mitigate the associated risks.
Exploitation Status
Signal | Status |
|---|---|
Known Exploit | No |
Public PoC | No |
Actively Exploited | No |
Ransomware Use | No |
Affected Versions
The following PHP versions are affected: 8.2.* before 8.2.31, 8.3.* before 8.3.31, 8.4.* before 8.4.21, and 8.5.* before 8.5.6. Organizations running these versions should prioritize updating to the latest releases.
Mitigation & Remediation
To mitigate this vulnerability, organizations should update PHP to versions 8.2.31, 8.3.31, 8.4.21, or 8.5.6 or later. If immediate patching is not possible, consider implementing input validation and sanitization on all user inputs that are passed to SQL queries.
In addition, organizations should review their SQL query structures and ensure that they are properly handling user inputs to prevent injection attacks. For a comprehensive approach, organizations can consider engaging in penetration testing to identify and remediate similar vulnerabilities.
Detection Guidance
Monitoring logs for unusual SQL query patterns and failed login attempts can help detect potential exploitation attempts. Organizations should also look for behavioral anomalies in database access to catch any unauthorized activities.
AppSecure Threat Intelligence Insight
The emergence of this vulnerability highlights the ongoing risks associated with SQL injection flaws in widely used software components. It serves as a reminder for organizations to prioritize security in their development processes.
To stay ahead of potential threats, companies should regularly conduct security assessments and keep their software dependencies up to date. For more insights on vulnerability management, organizations can explore our vulnerability management program and adopt best practices in application security.
Additionally, organizations should consider leveraging penetration testing methodology to better understand their attack surface and improve defensive strategies.
Finally, organizations should remain vigilant by following the latest trends in security vulnerabilities and implementing comprehensive security measures across their systems.
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
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