CVE-2011-0432 in PyWebDAV
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple SQL injection vulnerabilities in the get_userinfo method in the MySQLAuthHandler class in DAVServer/mysqlauth.py in PyWebDAV before 0.9.4.1 allow remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via the (1) user or (2) pw argument. NOTE: some of these details are obtained from third party information.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/19/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2011-0432 represents a critical SQL injection flaw within the PyWebDAV web server implementation that affects versions prior to 0.9.4.1. This vulnerability resides in the MySQLAuthHandler class specifically within the get_userinfo method located in DAVServer/mysqlauth.py. The flaw enables remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands by manipulating the user or pw arguments passed to the authentication handler, fundamentally compromising the database backend security.
The technical nature of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-89, which categorizes SQL injection as a weakness where untrusted data is incorporated into SQL queries without proper sanitization or parameterization. The vulnerability occurs because the PyWebDAV application directly incorporates user-supplied input from the user and pw parameters into SQL query construction without adequate input validation or prepared statement usage. This allows attackers to craft malicious input that alters the intended SQL query execution path, potentially enabling data extraction, modification, or deletion operations on the underlying MySQL database.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability presents a severe risk to systems utilizing PyWebDAV for WebDAV services with MySQL authentication. Remote attackers can exploit this flaw to gain unauthorized access to user accounts, extract sensitive database information including user credentials, and potentially escalate privileges within the database environment. The vulnerability affects the authentication mechanism itself, meaning that successful exploitation could lead to complete compromise of the WebDAV service and underlying database infrastructure. Attackers could leverage this to perform unauthorized data access, modify user accounts, or even execute administrative database commands.
The attack vector for this vulnerability is particularly concerning as it requires no authentication to exploit, making it accessible to any remote attacker who can reach the WebDAV service. The vulnerability affects the authentication flow of the WebDAV server, meaning that even if the service itself is properly secured, the authentication backend remains vulnerable. Mitigation strategies should focus on upgrading to PyWebDAV version 0.9.4.1 or later, which contains the necessary patches to address the SQL injection flaws. Additionally, implementing proper input validation, parameterized queries, and regular security audits of authentication components are essential defensive measures that align with ATT&CK technique T1190 for exploitation through SQL injection and T1078 for valid accounts compromise.
Organizations using PyWebDAV should implement immediate remediation measures including patching the software, monitoring for exploitation attempts, and conducting thorough security assessments of their WebDAV implementations. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper input sanitization in authentication components and highlights the potential for remote code execution through database injection attacks. Security teams should also consider implementing network segmentation and access controls to limit exposure of WebDAV services to untrusted networks, while maintaining regular vulnerability scanning to identify similar weaknesses in other authentication systems throughout the infrastructure.