CVE-2012-3470 in Ushahidi
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple SQL injection vulnerabilities in application/libraries/api/MY_Countries_Api_Object.php in the Ushahidi Platform before 2.5 allow remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via vectors related to _get_countries functions.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/07/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2012-3470 represents a critical SQL injection flaw within the Ushahidi Platform version 2.4 and earlier, specifically affecting the application/libraries/api/MY_Countries_Api_Object.php file. This vulnerability resides in the _get_countries functions which are part of the platform's API infrastructure designed to retrieve country-related data. The Ushahidi Platform is a widely used open-source crisis mapping system that enables users to collect, manage, and visualize emergency information through various channels including web interfaces, SMS, and email. The affected component operates as a core library that handles country data retrieval for the platform's various applications and integrations, making it a critical attack surface for potential adversaries seeking to compromise the system's database layer.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and sanitization within the _get_countries functions. Attackers can manipulate the API endpoints by injecting malicious SQL payloads through parameters that are directly incorporated into database queries without proper escaping or parameterization. This allows remote threat actors to execute arbitrary SQL commands against the underlying database, potentially gaining unauthorized access to sensitive information, modifying or deleting data, and in severe cases, taking full control of the database server. The vulnerability falls under CWE-89 which specifically addresses SQL injection flaws where untrusted data is incorporated into SQL commands without proper validation or escaping mechanisms. The attack vector is particularly dangerous as it leverages the platform's legitimate API functionality, making it easier to bypass traditional security controls and appear as legitimate system activity.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data compromise, as it can lead to complete system infiltration and data destruction within the Ushahidi Platform ecosystem. Organizations relying on this platform for crisis response and emergency management may face severe consequences including exposure of sensitive incident reports, compromise of user data, and disruption of critical communication services. The vulnerability affects not just the database integrity but also the overall availability and confidentiality of information managed by the platform, which is particularly concerning given that Ushahidi is often deployed in high-stakes environments such as natural disaster response, conflict monitoring, and humanitarian crises where accurate and timely information is crucial. Security researchers have documented that this vulnerability could be exploited through various methods including direct API calls, web interface manipulation, and potentially through other platform components that rely on the affected API functions.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2012-3470 require immediate implementation of proper input validation and parameterized queries within the affected API functions. Organizations should upgrade to Ushahidi Platform version 2.5 or later where the vulnerability has been patched, as this represents the most effective solution to address the root cause. Security measures should include implementing proper SQL query parameterization, input sanitization, and output encoding to prevent malicious payloads from being executed. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under T1190 - Exploit Public-Facing Application, highlighting the need for organizations to maintain updated security configurations and regularly audit their public-facing applications. Additionally, network segmentation, database access controls, and monitoring of API traffic can help detect and prevent exploitation attempts. Organizations should also implement automated security scanning tools to identify similar vulnerabilities in other platform components and ensure comprehensive protection against future attacks targeting the platform's database layer.