CVE-2014-10020 in Simple e-document
Summary
by MITRE
SQL injection vulnerability in login.php in Simple e-document 1.31 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via the username parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/28/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2014-10020 represents a critical sql injection flaw within the Simple e-document 1.31 web application, specifically targeting the login.php script. This security weakness arises from insufficient input validation and sanitization mechanisms that fail to properly filter user-supplied data before incorporating it into database queries. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it affects the authentication mechanism, which serves as the primary entry point for unauthorized access to the system. Attackers can exploit this flaw by manipulating the username parameter to inject malicious sql code that bypasses normal authentication procedures and potentially escalates privileges within the application.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from improper parameter handling where the username value submitted through the login form is directly concatenated into sql query strings without appropriate escaping or parameterization. This practice violates fundamental security principles and creates an environment where malicious input can alter the intended flow of database operations. According to the common weakness enumeration standard CWE-89, this vulnerability falls under the category of sql injection, which is classified as a critical weakness that allows attackers to execute arbitrary sql commands on the underlying database server. The attack vector is remote, meaning that an attacker can exploit this vulnerability from any location without requiring physical access to the system, making it particularly dangerous in web-facing applications.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple unauthorized access, as successful exploitation can lead to complete database compromise including data theft, modification of sensitive information, and potential lateral movement within the network infrastructure. The attacker can leverage this vulnerability to extract user credentials, personal information, and potentially gain administrative privileges within the Simple e-document system. From an attack framework perspective, this vulnerability aligns with the attack technique T1190 - exploit public-facing application, which represents a common initial access method used by threat actors to establish footholds within target environments. The vulnerability also maps to the broader category of T1071 - application layer protocol, indicating that the attack occurs through standard web application protocols that are commonly monitored and analyzed by security tools.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate implementation of proper input validation and parameterized queries to prevent sql injection attacks. The most effective remediation involves replacing direct string concatenation with prepared statements or parameterized queries that separate sql code from user input data. Organizations should also implement comprehensive input sanitization routines that filter or escape special characters commonly used in sql injection attacks such as single quotes, semicolons, and comment markers. Additionally, the application should be configured with proper access controls and least privilege principles to limit the potential damage from successful exploitation attempts. Regular security assessments and penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other application components, while also implementing web application firewalls and intrusion detection systems to monitor for suspicious activities targeting sql injection patterns. The fix should also include proper error handling that prevents the disclosure of database structure information to attackers, as this additional information can aid in crafting more sophisticated attacks against the system.