CVE-2018-11414 in BearAdmin
Summary
by MITRE
An issue was discovered in BearAdmin 0.5. There is admin/admin_log/index.html?user_id= SQL injection because admin\controller\AdminLog.php constructs a MySQL query improperly.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/08/2020
The vulnerability CVE-2018-11414 represents a critical SQL injection flaw in BearAdmin version 0.5 that exposes the administrative login interface to unauthorized access. This issue resides within the admin/admin_log/index.html component where user_id parameters are improperly handled without adequate input validation or sanitization measures. The flaw allows malicious actors to inject arbitrary SQL commands through the user_id parameter, potentially enabling complete database compromise and unauthorized administrative access to the application.
This vulnerability manifests as a classic SQL injection attack vector where the application fails to properly escape or parameterize user-supplied input before incorporating it into database queries. The specific exposure occurs in the administrative logging module where the system processes user identifiers without implementing proper security controls. The attack surface is particularly dangerous as it targets the administrative interface, which typically contains sensitive data and system controls that should remain protected from unauthorized access.
From a cybersecurity perspective, this vulnerability directly maps to CWE-89 which defines improper neutralization of special elements used in an SQL command. The flaw enables attackers to manipulate database queries through malformed input, potentially leading to data exfiltration, privilege escalation, or complete system compromise. The attack can be executed through standard SQL injection techniques where malicious payloads are crafted to exploit the vulnerable parameter handling mechanism.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft to encompass full administrative control over the affected system. An attacker could leverage this flaw to extract sensitive user credentials, modify database content, create new administrative accounts, or even execute arbitrary commands on the underlying database server. The presence of such a vulnerability in an administrative interface significantly elevates the risk profile as it provides attackers with direct pathways to critical system components.
Security mitigation strategies should include immediate input validation and parameterized query implementation to prevent SQL injection attacks. The application should enforce proper authentication mechanisms and implement input sanitization for all user-supplied parameters. Additionally, access controls should be strengthened through proper authorization checks and monitoring of administrative activities. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls and regular security scanning to identify similar vulnerabilities across their application portfolio. The remediation process must involve thorough code review and testing to ensure that all database interactions properly handle user input without exposing the system to injection attacks.
This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1190 which covers exploiting vulnerabilities in web applications, specifically targeting weaknesses in input validation and database query handling. The attack vector represents a common entry point for threat actors seeking persistent access to administrative systems, making it a high-priority remediation target in enterprise security programs.