CVE-2018-11801 in Fineract
Summary
by MITRE
SQL injection vulnerability in Apache Fineract before 1.3.0 allows attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via a query on a m_center data related table.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/03/2023
The vulnerability CVE-2018-11801 represents a critical SQL injection flaw in Apache Fineract versions prior to 1.3.0 that specifically targets the m_center data related table. This vulnerability falls under CWE-89 which categorizes improper neutralization of special elements used in an SQL command, making it a classic and dangerous attack vector. The flaw enables malicious actors to manipulate database queries through carefully crafted inputs that are not properly sanitized or validated before being incorporated into SQL statements.
Apache Fineract is a comprehensive financial management platform designed for microfinance institutions, making it a critical component for financial data handling and transaction processing. The vulnerability manifests when the application processes queries related to center data tables, which typically contain structured information about client groups and their financial activities. Attackers can exploit this weakness by injecting malicious SQL code through input parameters that are directly used in database queries without adequate sanitization. This allows unauthorized individuals to bypass authentication mechanisms, extract sensitive data, modify database contents, or even execute administrative commands on the underlying database system.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is substantial for organizations using affected versions of Apache Fineract, particularly those in the microfinance and financial services sectors where data integrity and confidentiality are paramount. Successful exploitation could lead to complete database compromise, allowing attackers to access sensitive customer information, financial records, transaction histories, and potentially gain elevated privileges within the system. The vulnerability affects the core data processing functionality of the platform, making it particularly dangerous as it targets fundamental database operations that are essential for day-to-day financial operations. Organizations may face regulatory compliance issues, financial losses, and reputational damage if this vulnerability is exploited.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2018-11801 primarily involve upgrading to Apache Fineract version 1.3.0 or later, which includes proper input validation and sanitization mechanisms. Organizations should also implement comprehensive database access controls, employ parameterized queries or prepared statements to prevent SQL injection, and conduct regular security assessments of their financial applications. Additional protective measures include network segmentation, database activity monitoring, and implementing web application firewalls to detect and block malicious SQL injection attempts. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of maintaining up-to-date security patches and following secure coding practices as outlined in the ATT&CK framework's database access techniques, specifically targeting the use of SQL injection as a method for unauthorized data access and manipulation.