CVE-2012-1934 in Newscoop
Summary
by MITRE
SQL injection vulnerability in admin/country/edit.php in Newscoop before 3.5.5 and 4.x before 4 RC4 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via the f_country_code parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/30/2024
The CVE-2012-1934 vulnerability represents a critical sql injection flaw in the Newscoop content management system that affected versions prior to 3.5.5 and 4.x before 4 RC4. This vulnerability resides within the administrative interface at the path admin/country/edit.php, making it particularly dangerous as it targets the system's administrative functions where privileged operations are performed. The flaw specifically affects the f_country_code parameter which is used to handle country code data during country editing operations within the news management system. The vulnerability classification aligns with CWE-89 which defines sql injection as the insertion of malicious sql code into input fields that are then executed by the database, creating a direct pathway for unauthorized data manipulation and potential system compromise.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when remote attackers submit malicious input through the f_country_code parameter without proper input validation or sanitization. This allows attackers to inject arbitrary sql commands that bypass authentication mechanisms and execute with the privileges of the database user account. The vulnerability demonstrates a classic lack of proper parameterized queries or input filtering, enabling attackers to manipulate the underlying database structure and potentially extract sensitive information, modify content, or even gain full database access. The impact extends beyond simple data theft as attackers can leverage this flaw to perform privilege escalation attacks and establish persistent access to the system.
The operational impact of CVE-2012-1934 is severe for organizations using vulnerable Newscoop installations as it provides attackers with direct access to administrative functions that control country-specific content management. This vulnerability can be exploited to modify or delete country configuration data, potentially disrupting content delivery and creating inconsistencies in multilingual news platforms. The attack vector is particularly concerning as it requires no authentication to exploit, making it a high-severity threat that can be executed by any remote attacker. Organizations running vulnerable systems face risks of data corruption, unauthorized content modification, and potential information disclosure that could compromise the integrity and availability of their news content management infrastructure. The vulnerability also aligns with ATT&CK technique T1071.004 which covers application layer protocol manipulation, and T1190 which addresses exploitation of remote services.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability center on immediate patching of affected Newscoop installations to versions 3.5.5 or 4 RC4 and later, which contain the necessary security fixes. Organizations should implement proper input validation and parameterized queries throughout their applications to prevent similar vulnerabilities from occurring in other components. Network segmentation and access control measures should be strengthened to limit administrative access to only trusted users and systems. Regular security audits and vulnerability assessments should be conducted to identify and remediate similar sql injection vulnerabilities across the entire application stack. Additionally, implementing web application firewalls and database activity monitoring can help detect and prevent exploitation attempts. The fix for this vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper input sanitization and the principle of least privilege in database operations, aligning with security best practices outlined in NIST SP 800-160 and OWASP Top 10 security guidelines. Organizations should also consider implementing automated patch management systems to ensure timely deployment of security updates and maintain comprehensive backup and recovery procedures to address potential compromise scenarios.