CVE-2012-5453 in AContent
Summary
by MITRE
SQL injection vulnerability in user/index_inline_editor_submit.php in ATutor AContent 1.2-1 allows remote authenticated users to execute arbitrary SQL commands via the field parameter. NOTE: this vulnerability exists because of an incomplete fix for CVE-2012-5167.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/23/2024
The CVE-2012-5453 vulnerability represents a critical SQL injection flaw within the ATutor AContent 1.2-1 learning management system, specifically targeting the user/index_inline_editor_submit.php component. This vulnerability exploits a weakness in input validation mechanisms that fail to properly sanitize user-supplied data before incorporating it into database queries. The flaw enables authenticated attackers to manipulate the application's database interactions by injecting malicious SQL commands through the field parameter, potentially leading to unauthorized data access, modification, or deletion. The vulnerability's significance is compounded by the fact that it stems from an incomplete remediation of a previously identified flaw, CVE-2012-5167, indicating a pattern of insufficient security measures in the application's codebase.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs when the application processes user input through the field parameter in the inline editor submission functionality. The insufficient input sanitization allows malicious SQL code to be executed within the database context, bypassing normal security controls. Attackers can leverage this weakness to perform unauthorized database operations such as data extraction, schema enumeration, or even privilege escalation within the database. The authenticated nature of the vulnerability means that attackers must first obtain valid credentials, but once authenticated, they can exploit this flaw to gain deeper access to the system's underlying data infrastructure. This vulnerability directly maps to CWE-89 which classifies SQL injection as a weakness that occurs when untrusted data is incorporated into SQL queries without proper sanitization.
The operational impact of CVE-2012-5453 extends beyond simple data theft to encompass potential system compromise and unauthorized administrative access. Organizations utilizing ATutor AContent 1.2-1 face significant risks including exposure of sensitive user information, academic records, and institutional data. The vulnerability could enable attackers to manipulate course content, alter user permissions, or establish persistent access points within the learning management system. Given that this affects educational platforms, the consequences could include academic integrity violations, privacy breaches, and potential regulatory compliance issues under data protection legislation. The presence of this vulnerability in a system designed for educational environments increases the risk profile significantly, as it may contain student records, personal information, and institutional data that requires protection under standards such as FERPA in educational contexts.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2012-5453 require immediate attention through comprehensive security measures that address both the immediate vulnerability and underlying architectural weaknesses. Organizations should implement proper input validation and parameterized query execution to prevent SQL injection attacks, ensuring all user-supplied data undergoes rigorous sanitization before database interaction. The most effective approach involves upgrading to a patched version of ATutor AContent that properly addresses both CVE-2012-5453 and its predecessor CVE-2012-5167, as incomplete fixes often leave residual vulnerabilities. Security teams should also consider implementing database activity monitoring, access controls, and regular security assessments to detect potential exploitation attempts. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability aligns with techniques such as T1071.004 (Application Layer Protocol: DNS) and T1190 (Exploit Public-Facing Application) as attackers may leverage this weakness to establish persistent access and escalate privileges within the target environment.