CVE-2015-10091 in bywater-koha-xslt
Summary
by MITRE • 03/06/2023
A vulnerability has been found in ByWater Solutions bywater-koha-xslt and classified as critical. This vulnerability affects the function StringSearch of the file admin/systempreferences.pl. The manipulation of the argument name leads to sql injection. The attack can be initiated remotely. Continious delivery with rolling releases is used by this product. Therefore, no version details of affected nor updated releases are available. The name of the patch is 9513b93c828dfbc4413f9e0df63647401aaf4e58. It is recommended to apply a patch to fix this issue. VDB-222322 is the identifier assigned to this vulnerability.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/31/2023
This critical vulnerability resides within ByWater Solutions' koha-xslt software, specifically targeting the StringSearch function in the admin/systempreferences.pl file. The flaw represents a classic sql injection vulnerability that allows remote attackers to manipulate database operations through crafted input parameters. The vulnerability's classification as critical stems from its remote exploitability and the potential for unauthorized database access, which could lead to data exfiltration, modification, or complete system compromise. The attack vector leverages the manipulation of the argument name parameter, making it particularly dangerous as it can be triggered without requiring local system access or authentication. The vulnerability's presence in a system preference management module suggests that attackers could potentially manipulate system configurations or access sensitive administrative functions.
The technical implementation of this sql injection flaw demonstrates poor input validation and sanitization practices within the application's backend processing logic. When the StringSearch function processes user-supplied argument names, it fails to properly escape or parameterize database queries, allowing malicious input to be interpreted as part of the sql command rather than as data. This vulnerability directly maps to CWE-89, which specifically addresses sql injection flaws where untrusted data is incorporated into sql queries without proper sanitization. The continuous delivery model with rolling releases employed by this product creates additional operational challenges as the lack of version information makes it difficult to determine specific affected releases or track the vulnerability's evolution. This deployment methodology, while beneficial for rapid updates, complicates vulnerability management and remediation efforts.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data compromise to potentially enable full system takeover through database manipulation. Remote attackers could leverage this flaw to extract sensitive information including user credentials, system configurations, and business data stored within the koha system. The vulnerability's presence in a system preferences module means that successful exploitation could allow attackers to modify critical system parameters, potentially leading to service disruption, privilege escalation, or data corruption. Given that this is a remote exploit, attackers do not require physical access to the system or local network presence, making the attack surface significantly larger and more accessible. The rolling release model further compounds the risk as new versions may contain the vulnerability or the patch may not be immediately available to all installations.
Security mitigation strategies should prioritize immediate patch application using the provided identifier 9513b93c828dfbc4413f9e0df63647401aaf4e58 which addresses the core sql injection vulnerability in the StringSearch function. Organizations should implement comprehensive input validation measures to prevent unauthorized sql command injection, including parameterized queries and proper input sanitization. Network segmentation and access controls should be strengthened to limit exposure of the vulnerable system preferences interface. Additionally, monitoring systems should be configured to detect anomalous database query patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. The ATT&CK framework's T1190 technique for exploitation of remote services and T1078 for valid accounts usage should be considered in incident response planning. Regular vulnerability assessments and penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar injection flaws in other components of the system. Organizations should also establish robust patch management processes to ensure timely application of security updates across all system components, particularly in environments using continuous delivery models where vulnerability identification and remediation timelines may be less predictable.