CVE-2011-5235 in mnoGoSearch
Summary
by MITRE
SQL injection vulnerability in mnoGoSearch before 3.3.12 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via the hostname in a hypertext link.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/23/2019
The CVE-2011-5235 vulnerability represents a critical SQL injection flaw discovered in mnoGoSearch versions prior to 3.3.12, presenting a significant security risk for web applications that rely on this search engine software. This vulnerability specifically targets the handling of hostname parameters within hypertext links, creating an avenue for remote attackers to manipulate database queries through crafted input. The flaw exists in the application's input validation mechanisms, where user-supplied hostname data is directly incorporated into SQL command construction without proper sanitization or parameterization. This oversight allows malicious actors to inject arbitrary SQL commands that execute within the database context, potentially compromising the entire database infrastructure.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when mnoGoSearch processes web links containing specially crafted hostnames that contain SQL injection payloads. The software fails to properly escape or validate hostname parameters before incorporating them into database queries, enabling attackers to manipulate the SQL execution flow. This type of vulnerability falls under the CWE-89 category of SQL Injection, which is classified as a common weakness in software development practices. The attack vector specifically targets the application's handling of URL parameters, where the hostname component of hypertext links becomes the injection point for malicious SQL commands. Attackers can leverage this flaw to perform unauthorized database operations including data extraction, modification, or deletion, potentially leading to complete system compromise.
The operational impact of CVE-2011-5235 extends beyond simple data theft, as it provides attackers with the capability to execute arbitrary commands on the database server. This vulnerability can result in unauthorized access to sensitive information, data corruption, or complete database compromise, depending on the privileges of the database account used by mnoGoSearch. The remote nature of the attack means that exploitation can occur from any location without requiring physical access to the system, making it particularly dangerous for publicly accessible web applications. Organizations using affected versions of mnoGoSearch face significant risk of data breaches and system compromise, as the vulnerability can be exploited through standard web browsing activities when users click on malicious links containing the injection payloads.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate patching of mnoGoSearch to version 3.3.12 or later, which includes proper input validation and sanitization measures for hostname parameters. System administrators should implement comprehensive input validation at multiple levels, ensuring that all user-supplied data undergoes proper sanitization before database processing. The remediation approach aligns with the ATT&CK framework's mitigation recommendations for SQL injection attacks, emphasizing the importance of input validation and parameterized queries. Additional protective measures include implementing web application firewalls to detect and block suspicious SQL injection patterns, restricting database user privileges to minimize potential damage from successful attacks, and conducting regular security audits to identify similar vulnerabilities in other components of the application stack. Organizations should also consider implementing proper logging and monitoring of database activities to detect anomalous behavior indicative of SQL injection attempts.