CVE-2017-15373 in E-Sic
Summary
by MITRE
E-Sic 1.0 allows SQL injection via the q parameter to esiclivre/restrito/inc/lkpcep.php (aka the search private area).
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/24/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-15373 affects E-Sic version 1.0, a web application designed for public access to government information requests. This particular flaw resides within the esiclivre/restrito/inc/lkpcep.php script which handles search functionality for private areas of the application. The vulnerability manifests through improper input validation and sanitization mechanisms that fail to adequately filter user-supplied data before incorporating it into database queries. The q parameter serves as the primary attack vector, accepting arbitrary user input that gets directly embedded into SQL commands without appropriate escaping or parameterization.
This SQL injection vulnerability represents a critical security weakness that falls under CWE-89, which specifically addresses SQL injection flaws in software applications. The flaw enables attackers to manipulate the underlying database queries through malicious input in the search parameter, potentially allowing unauthorized access to sensitive information stored within the application's database. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it targets the private area functionality of the application, suggesting that attackers could gain access to restricted information or administrative controls. The attack surface extends beyond simple data retrieval to potentially include data modification, deletion, or even privilege escalation within the database environment.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends significantly beyond traditional data theft scenarios. An attacker could exploit this weakness to extract confidential information from the database, including user credentials, personal identification details, or sensitive government records. The vulnerability also presents opportunities for attackers to manipulate the application's behavior by injecting malicious SQL commands that could alter database contents, create backdoor accounts, or disable critical application functions. Given that this is a search functionality within a restricted area, successful exploitation could provide attackers with access to privileged information that should only be available to authorized users, potentially compromising the integrity and confidentiality of government information systems.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on implementing proper input validation and parameterized queries throughout the application code. The most effective immediate fix involves replacing direct string concatenation of user input with prepared statements or parameterized queries that separate the SQL command structure from the data being processed. Additionally, implementing proper input sanitization techniques and output encoding can help prevent malicious payloads from being executed. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls to detect and block suspicious SQL injection attempts, while establishing comprehensive monitoring and logging mechanisms to identify potential exploitation attempts. The remediation process should include thorough code review and security testing to ensure all similar vulnerabilities are identified and addressed, as this particular flaw may indicate broader issues with input validation practices throughout the application. According to ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability maps to T1071.005 for Application Layer Protocol: Web Protocols and T1213.002 for Data from Information Repositories, highlighting the need for both network-level and application-level defensive measures.