CVE-2015-5376 in WiNPAT Portal
Summary
by MITRE
SQL injection vulnerability in the login form in GSI WiNPAT Portal 3.2.0.1001 through 3.6.1.0 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via the username field.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/26/2019
The CVE-2015-5376 vulnerability represents a critical sql injection flaw within the GSI WiNPAT Portal authentication system, specifically targeting the login form component. This vulnerability exists in versions 3.2.0.1001 through 3.6.1.0 of the portal software, making it a widespread concern across multiple iterations of the product. The flaw allows remote attackers to manipulate the authentication process by injecting malicious sql commands through the username field, effectively bypassing normal security controls and potentially gaining unauthorized access to the system. The vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and sanitization mechanisms within the application's authentication logic, creating an exploitable entry point that directly impacts the system's integrity and confidentiality.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs when user input from the username field is directly concatenated into sql query strings without proper parameterization or input filtering. This creates a classic sql injection scenario where malicious payloads can alter the intended query execution flow. Attackers can craft usernames containing sql injection payloads that manipulate the database query to either extract sensitive information, modify user accounts, or bypass authentication entirely. The vulnerability operates at the application layer and requires no special privileges to exploit, making it particularly dangerous as it can be leveraged by anyone with network access to the portal. This type of vulnerability is categorized under CWE-89 sql injection within the CWE top 25 most dangerous software weaknesses list, which aligns with the attack patterns documented in the mitre ATT&CK framework under technique T1190 for exploitation of known vulnerabilities.
The operational impact of CVE-2015-5376 extends beyond simple unauthorized access, as successful exploitation can lead to complete system compromise and data breaches. Attackers can potentially extract user credentials, personal information, and other sensitive data stored within the portal's database. The vulnerability also enables privilege escalation attacks where malicious users might gain administrative access to the system. Organizations using affected versions of GSI WiNPAT Portal face significant risk of data exposure, regulatory compliance violations, and potential financial losses due to unauthorized access to sensitive information. The remote nature of the exploit means that attackers can target the system from anywhere on the internet, eliminating the need for physical access or network proximity. This vulnerability directly impacts the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of the portal services, making it a critical security concern for any organization relying on this software.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2015-5376 must focus on immediate remediation and long-term security improvements. The primary solution involves upgrading to a patched version of the GSI WiNPAT Portal software that addresses the sql injection vulnerability through proper input validation and parameterized query implementation. Organizations should implement input sanitization measures including proper escaping of special characters and validation of user inputs before processing. Database access controls should be reviewed and strengthened to limit the privileges of application accounts, implementing the principle of least privilege. Additionally, organizations should deploy web application firewalls and intrusion detection systems to monitor for sql injection attempts. Regular security assessments and penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other applications. The remediation process should also include comprehensive user education on recognizing potential exploitation attempts and implementing proper security monitoring protocols to detect unauthorized access attempts. Security teams should also consider implementing automated patch management processes to ensure timely deployment of security updates and prevent similar vulnerabilities from arising in the future.