CVE-2009-4046 in FrontAccounting
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple SQL injection vulnerabilities in FrontAccounting (FA) 2.2.x before 2.2 RC allow remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via unspecified parameters to (1) bank_accounts.php, (2) currencies.php, (3) exchange_rates.php, (4) gl_account_types.php, and (5) gl_accounts.php in gl/manage/; and (6) audit_trail_db.inc, (7) comments_db.inc, (8) inventory_db.inc, (9) manufacturing_db.inc, and (10) references_db.inc in includes/db/.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/23/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2009-4046 represents a critical SQL injection flaw affecting FrontAccounting version 2.2.x prior to the release candidate. This vulnerability resides in multiple PHP scripts within the application's codebase, specifically targeting database interaction points that handle user-supplied input without proper sanitization or validation. The affected files span across the core financial management modules including bank accounts, currencies, exchange rates, general ledger account types, and general ledger accounts, as well as several database include files that manage audit trails, comments, inventory, manufacturing processes, and reference management. These scripts operate within the web application's administrative and financial processing interfaces, making them prime targets for malicious exploitation. The vulnerability stems from the application's failure to properly escape or validate input parameters before incorporating them into SQL queries, creating an opportunity for attackers to manipulate database operations through crafted input sequences.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands against the underlying database system. When user input is directly concatenated into SQL queries without proper parameterization or escaping, attackers can inject malicious SQL syntax that alters the intended query execution flow. This enables unauthorized database access, data manipulation, information disclosure, and potentially complete system compromise. The attack surface is particularly broad given that the vulnerability affects multiple core modules including financial transaction processing, inventory management, and audit trail functionality. The SQL injection occurs in the gl/manage/ directory for general ledger operations and in the includes/db/ directory for various database interaction components, indicating a systemic flaw in the application's data handling architecture. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to extract sensitive financial data, modify accounting records, or gain deeper access to the underlying database infrastructure.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft to encompass potential financial fraud, regulatory compliance violations, and system integrity compromise. Organizations utilizing FrontAccounting for financial management are at risk of unauthorized transactions, altered accounting records, and exposure of sensitive financial information including customer data, transaction histories, and business financial details. The vulnerability affects critical business processes including bank reconciliation, currency management, and general ledger maintenance, which are fundamental to financial operations. The presence of SQL injection in audit trail components particularly amplifies the risk as attackers could potentially modify or delete audit logs, undermining the integrity of financial controls and compliance monitoring. This vulnerability represents a significant risk to financial institutions and businesses relying on FrontAccounting for their accounting operations, as successful exploitation could lead to substantial financial losses and regulatory penalties.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate implementation of input validation and parameterized queries throughout the affected codebase. Organizations should apply the vendor-provided patch or upgrade to FrontAccounting version 2.2 RC or later, which contains the necessary security fixes. The implementation of proper input sanitization techniques including prepared statements and parameterized queries should be enforced across all database interaction points. Additionally, network segmentation and access controls should be implemented to limit exposure of the vulnerable application to untrusted networks. Security monitoring should be enhanced to detect potential exploitation attempts through unusual database query patterns or unauthorized access attempts. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-89, which specifically addresses SQL injection flaws, and represents a typical example of how insufficient input validation can lead to database compromise. From an ATT&CK perspective, this vulnerability maps to technique T1190 - Exploit Public-Facing Application, where attackers leverage application weaknesses to gain unauthorized access to backend systems. Regular security assessments and code reviews should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other application components, as this flaw demonstrates the importance of consistent security practices throughout the application lifecycle.