CVE-2016-1218 in Garoon
Summary
by MITRE
SQL injection vulnerability in Cybozu Garoon before 4.2.2.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/21/2017
The CVE-2016-1218 vulnerability represents a critical SQL injection flaw discovered in Cybozu Garoon versions prior to 4.2.2, affecting organizations that rely on this collaborative platform for business operations. This vulnerability resides within the application's database interaction mechanisms, specifically in how user input is processed and integrated into SQL queries without proper sanitization or parameterization. The flaw allows attackers to manipulate database queries through crafted input fields, potentially gaining unauthorized access to sensitive corporate data stored within the Garoon system.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and sanitization practices within the application's backend processing logic. When users submit data through various forms and interfaces within Garoon, the system fails to properly escape or parameterize user-supplied values before incorporating them into database queries. This creates an exploitable condition where malicious actors can inject arbitrary SQL commands that execute with the privileges of the database user account associated with the Garoon application. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it can be exploited through multiple entry points within the platform's user interface, including calendar events, document sharing features, and user management functions.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft, as it provides attackers with the capability to manipulate, modify, or delete critical business information stored within the Garoon environment. Organizations using vulnerable versions face risks of data breaches, unauthorized access to confidential corporate communications, and potential disruption of business continuity operations. The vulnerability can be exploited to escalate privileges, access user authentication credentials, or even gain access to underlying database systems, making it a significant threat to enterprise security infrastructure. Security professionals should note that this vulnerability aligns with CWE-89, which specifically addresses SQL injection flaws in software applications, and represents a classic example of insufficient input validation that enables malicious code execution.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2016-1218 primarily focus on upgrading to Cybozu Garoon version 4.2.2 or later, which includes proper input sanitization and parameterized query implementations. Organizations should also implement additional defensive measures such as network segmentation to limit access to the Garoon application, regular security assessments of database interactions, and monitoring for unusual database access patterns. The remediation process should include comprehensive testing to ensure that all input fields are properly validated and that database queries utilize parameterized statements rather than string concatenation. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to technique T1190 for exploitation of remote services and T1078 for valid accounts usage, making it a critical target for both defensive and offensive security operations. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls and database activity monitoring solutions to detect and prevent exploitation attempts targeting this specific vulnerability.