CVE-2001-0201 in Postaci
Summary
by MITRE
The Postaci frontend for PostgreSQL does not properly filter characters such as semicolons, which could allow remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL queries via the deletecontact.php program.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/29/2018
The vulnerability described in CVE-2001-0201 represents a classic sql injection flaw within the Postaci frontend interface for PostgreSQL database systems. This security weakness specifically affects the deletecontact.php program which processes user input without proper sanitization or validation. The vulnerability stems from inadequate input filtering mechanisms that fail to properly escape or validate special characters including semicolons, which are commonly used as statement terminators in sql syntax. This oversight creates a pathway for malicious actors to inject arbitrary sql commands into the database query execution flow, potentially compromising the entire database infrastructure.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability aligns with common sql injection attack patterns documented in the attack technique framework under attack tactic TA0001 - initial access and TA0002 - execution. The flaw can be categorized as a CWE-89 - sql injection vulnerability where the application fails to properly escape user-supplied data before incorporating it into sql queries. The specific implementation issue manifests in the deletecontact.php script where input parameters are directly concatenated into sql statements without proper parameterization or input validation. This allows attackers to manipulate the intended query flow by injecting malicious sql fragments that bypass normal authentication and authorization mechanisms.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft or corruption, as it provides attackers with potential full database access capabilities. Remote attackers can leverage this weakness to execute unauthorized sql commands, potentially leading to data exfiltration, data modification, or even complete database compromise. The vulnerability affects the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of database systems by enabling unauthorized access to sensitive information stored in postgresql databases. Organizations relying on Postaci frontend for database management operations face significant risk of unauthorized data access and potential system compromise when this vulnerability remains unpatched.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2001-0201 should focus on implementing proper input validation and parameterized query execution throughout the application codebase. The most effective remediation involves using prepared statements or parameterized queries to separate sql code from user input data, ensuring that semicolons and other special characters are properly escaped or filtered during input processing. Security measures should include comprehensive input sanitization routines that validate and sanitize all user-supplied data before processing, along with implementing proper access controls and database user permissions to limit the impact of potential sql injection attempts. Regular security code reviews and penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other application components, following industry standards such as owasp top ten and nist cybersecurity framework guidelines for database security management.