CVE-2015-5052 in Sefrengo
Summary
by MITRE
SQL injection vulnerability in Sefrengo before 1.6.5 beta2.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/13/2019
The CVE-2015-5052 vulnerability represents a critical sql injection flaw discovered in the Sefrengo web application framework prior to version 1.6.5 beta2. This vulnerability resides within the framework's handling of user input parameters that are directly incorporated into sql query constructions without proper sanitization or parameterization. The flaw allows malicious actors to inject arbitrary sql commands through crafted input fields, potentially enabling unauthorized data access, modification, or deletion within the underlying database systems. The vulnerability affects applications built using Sefrengo framework versions that fail to implement proper input validation mechanisms for sql query building operations. Security researchers identified this issue during routine code analysis where they observed direct concatenation of user-supplied data into sql statements, creating an environment ripe for exploitation. The vulnerability demonstrates poor adherence to secure coding practices and highlights the importance of implementing proper input sanitization techniques.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when user input reaches the sql query construction phase without appropriate escaping or parameterization. Attackers can craft malicious input that manipulates the sql execution flow, potentially bypassing authentication mechanisms or extracting sensitive data from database tables. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-89 which specifically addresses sql injection flaws in software applications. This weakness allows for various attack vectors including union-based queries, time-based blind sql injection, or error-based exploitation techniques. The framework's failure to implement prepared statements or parameterized queries creates a direct pathway for malicious sql code execution. Security analysis indicates that the vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it affects core framework functionality rather than individual application components, potentially compromising all applications built using vulnerable versions.
The operational impact of CVE-2015-5052 extends beyond immediate data breaches to encompass complete system compromise and business disruption. Organizations utilizing vulnerable Sefrengo frameworks face significant risks including unauthorized data access, data corruption, and potential system infiltration. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to escalate privileges, extract sensitive user information, or perform destructive operations on database contents. The vulnerability's presence in the framework level means that multiple applications within an organization's infrastructure could be simultaneously compromised, creating cascading security failures. Database administrators and security teams must conduct comprehensive audits of all applications using affected versions to identify potential exploitation vectors. The impact is further amplified by the fact that sql injection vulnerabilities often serve as initial access points for more sophisticated attack campaigns, potentially leading to full system compromise. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1071.004 which covers application layer protocol manipulation and T1190 which addresses exploit public-facing applications.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2015-5052 primarily involve upgrading to Sefrengo version 1.6.5 beta2 or later, which implements proper input sanitization and parameterized query mechanisms. Organizations should also implement comprehensive input validation at multiple layers including application, network, and database levels. Security teams should enforce the use of prepared statements or parameterized queries in all sql execution contexts to prevent direct input concatenation. Additional defensive measures include implementing web application firewalls, conducting regular security code reviews, and establishing robust database access controls. The vulnerability underscores the necessity of following secure coding standards and principles such as those outlined in the OWASP Top Ten and NIST cybersecurity frameworks. Organizations should also consider implementing database activity monitoring and intrusion detection systems to identify potential exploitation attempts. Regular security training for development teams on secure coding practices and vulnerability awareness is essential to prevent similar issues in future application development cycles. The remediation process should include thorough testing of updated frameworks to ensure that the fix does not introduce compatibility issues with existing application functionality.