CVE-2011-5038 in hitAppoint
Summary
by MITRE
SQL injection vulnerability in hitCode hitAppoint 4.5.17 and possibly earlier allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via the username parameter to index.php. NOTE: the provenance of this information is unknown; the details are obtained solely from third party information.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/13/2019
This vulnerability represents a critical sql injection flaw in hitCode hitAppoint version 4.5.17 and potentially earlier iterations, exposing systems to remote code execution risks. The vulnerability specifically targets the username parameter within the index.php script, creating an attack vector that allows malicious actors to inject arbitrary sql commands into the application's database layer. This type of vulnerability falls under the common weakness enumeration category CWE-89, which specifically addresses sql injection vulnerabilities where untrusted data is directly incorporated into sql queries without proper sanitization or parameterization. The attack surface is particularly concerning as it enables remote exploitation without requiring authentication, making it accessible to any attacker who can submit requests to the vulnerable application.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and sanitization practices within the hitAppoint application. When users submit login credentials through the username field, the application fails to properly escape or parameterize the input before incorporating it into sql queries. This oversight creates a direct pathway for attackers to manipulate the sql execution flow by injecting malicious sql syntax that can alter the intended query behavior. The vulnerability's remote exploitability means that attackers can leverage this weakness from external networks without requiring physical access to the system. According to the ATT&CK framework, this represents a technique categorized under command and control communications, where adversaries establish persistent access through exploitation of application-level vulnerabilities.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft to encompass complete system compromise and potential lateral movement within affected networks. Successful exploitation could allow attackers to retrieve sensitive user data, modify database records, create new administrative accounts, or even execute system commands on the underlying database server. The vulnerability's potential for widespread impact is heightened by the fact that it affects a specific version of hitAppoint, suggesting that organizations using this software are at risk if they haven't applied appropriate patches or updates. The unknown provenance of the vulnerability details indicates that it may have been discovered through security research or incident response activities rather than formal disclosure processes, which could mean the vulnerability has been actively exploited in the wild.
Organizations must implement immediate mitigations to address this vulnerability, including applying the latest available patches from hitCode, implementing proper input validation and parameterization techniques, and deploying web application firewalls to detect and block malicious sql injection attempts. The remediation process should involve thorough code review to ensure all input parameters are properly sanitized, with particular attention to database query construction practices. Additionally, implementing database access controls and monitoring mechanisms can help detect unauthorized access attempts. Security teams should also consider conducting vulnerability assessments across their entire application portfolio to identify similar sql injection vulnerabilities in other systems, as this type of weakness is commonly found in legacy applications that have not received proper security updates or code modernization. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical importance of maintaining up-to-date software versions and implementing robust security practices throughout the application development lifecycle.