CVE-2017-20067 in Hindu Matrimonial Script
Summary
by MITRE • 06/21/2022
A vulnerability was found in Hindu Matrimonial Script. It has been declared as critical. Affected by this vulnerability is an unknown functionality of the file /admin/. The manipulation of the argument username/password with the input 'or''=' leads to sql injection. The attack can be launched remotely. The exploit has been disclosed to the public and may be used.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/01/2022
This vulnerability represents a critical sql injection flaw in the Hindu Matrimonial Script application that specifically affects the administrative functionality accessible through the /admin/ directory. The vulnerability arises from improper input validation within the authentication mechanism where the username and password parameters fail to adequately sanitize user-supplied data. When an attacker crafts malicious input containing the string 'or''=' the application processes this without proper escaping or parameterization, allowing the sql injection attack to succeed. The vulnerability is classified as critical due to its potential for unauthorized administrative access and data compromise.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through the manipulation of the authentication flow where the application directly incorporates user input into sql queries without proper sanitization. The specific payload 'or''=' demonstrates how an attacker can manipulate the sql query structure by injecting sql logic operators and comparison operators that bypass normal authentication checks. This type of vulnerability falls under the CWE-89 category known as "Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an SQL Command" and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1190 "Exploit Public-Facing Application" as it targets publicly accessible administrative interfaces. The remote exploitation capability means that attackers do not require physical access to the system and can target the vulnerability over the network.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple unauthorized access to potentially full system compromise. Successful exploitation could enable attackers to extract sensitive user data, modify database records, create new administrative accounts, or even escalate privileges to gain complete control over the application and underlying database. The disclosure of the exploit to the public community significantly increases the risk as it provides attackers with a ready-made tool for targeting vulnerable installations. Organizations running this script face potential data breaches, regulatory compliance violations, and reputational damage if the vulnerability remains unpatched.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate implementation of proper input validation and parameterized queries throughout the application codebase. The recommended approach involves implementing prepared statements or parameterized queries to ensure that user input cannot alter the sql command structure. Additionally, implementing proper authentication controls including account lockout mechanisms, rate limiting, and input sanitization routines should be deployed. Organizations should also conduct comprehensive security assessments to identify similar vulnerabilities in other parts of the application and establish robust patch management procedures to address future vulnerabilities promptly. The fix must include comprehensive testing to ensure that all input fields properly handle special characters and that authentication mechanisms are hardened against sql injection attacks.