CVE-2002-2043 in SASL
Summary
by MITRE
SQL injection vulnerability in the LDAP and MySQL authentication patch for Cyrus SASL 1.5.24 and 1.5.27 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands and log in as arbitrary POP mail users via the password.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/08/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2002-2043 represents a critical SQL injection flaw within the Cyrus SASL authentication system, specifically affecting versions 1.5.24 and 1.5.27. This security weakness resides in the LDAP and MySQL authentication patches that are integral components of the Cyrus Simple Authentication and Security Layer implementation. The vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and sanitization within the authentication processing pipeline, where user-supplied credentials are directly incorporated into SQL query constructions without proper parameterization or escaping mechanisms. The flaw manifests when the system processes password authentication requests through POP mail services, creating an exploitable pathway for malicious actors to manipulate database queries through crafted input.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through manipulation of the password field during authentication attempts, allowing attackers to inject malicious SQL code that bypasses normal authentication mechanisms. When a user attempts to authenticate via POP mail services, the system constructs SQL queries that incorporate the provided password value directly into database operations. This design flaw enables attackers to craft password inputs that contain SQL injection payloads, which when processed by the vulnerable authentication system, result in the execution of arbitrary SQL commands on the underlying database server. The successful exploitation permits unauthorized access to any POP mail user account within the system, effectively granting attackers complete control over those email accounts and potentially enabling further lateral movement within the network infrastructure.
The operational impact of CVE-2002-2043 extends beyond simple unauthorized access, as it provides attackers with the capability to manipulate database contents, extract sensitive information, and potentially escalate privileges within the email infrastructure. The vulnerability's remote nature means that attackers can exploit this flaw from external network locations without requiring local system access or prior authentication. This characteristic significantly increases the attack surface and reduces the time required for exploitation. The weakness affects the fundamental authentication integrity of the Cyrus SASL system, undermining the security model that relies on proper credential validation. From a cybersecurity perspective, this vulnerability aligns with CWE-89 which classifies SQL injection flaws, and represents a direct violation of the principle of least privilege and secure input handling practices.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate implementation of proper input validation and parameterized query construction within the authentication modules. System administrators should apply the official patches released by the Cyrus SASL development team to address the specific SQL injection flaws in the LDAP and MySQL authentication components. Additionally, implementing proper database access controls, including read-only permissions for authentication databases and regular monitoring of database queries, can help detect and prevent exploitation attempts. Network segmentation and firewall rules should restrict direct access to authentication services, while implementing intrusion detection systems can help identify suspicious authentication patterns. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of secure coding practices, particularly in authentication systems where input sanitization and parameterized queries are essential defenses against SQL injection attacks. Organizations should also consider implementing multi-factor authentication mechanisms as additional layers of protection, while regular security assessments of authentication infrastructure help identify similar vulnerabilities in other system components that may be susceptible to similar exploitation techniques.