CVE-2018-12630 in NMCMS
Summary
by MITRE
NEWMARK (aka New Mark) NMCMS 2.1 allows SQL Injection via the sect_id parameter to the /catalog URI.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/21/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-12630 represents a critical SQL injection flaw within the NEWMARK NMCMS 2.1 content management system. This vulnerability specifically affects the catalog functionality where user input is not properly sanitized before being incorporated into database queries. The attack vector exploits the sect_id parameter through the /catalog URI endpoint, allowing malicious actors to manipulate database operations and potentially gain unauthorized access to sensitive information. The flaw falls under the category of improper input validation where the application fails to adequately filter or escape user-supplied data before processing.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from the application's failure to employ proper parameterized queries or input sanitization mechanisms. When the sect_id parameter is submitted through the catalog URI, the system directly incorporates this value into SQL statements without appropriate validation or escaping. This creates an environment where attackers can inject malicious SQL code that gets executed by the database engine, potentially leading to data extraction, modification, or deletion. The vulnerability is classified as CWE-89 SQL Injection, which is one of the most prevalent and dangerous web application security flaws according to the CWE database. This weakness allows attackers to bypass authentication mechanisms and access sensitive data that should be protected.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft, as it can enable full database compromise and potentially lead to system takeover. Attackers exploiting this flaw could extract user credentials, personal information, and other sensitive data stored within the NMCMS database. The vulnerability also poses risks to application availability and integrity, as malicious SQL injection could result in database corruption or denial of service conditions. Organizations using this CMS version face significant exposure to data breaches and regulatory compliance violations, particularly in environments handling personal identifiable information or sensitive business data. The attack surface is particularly concerning as it targets the core catalog functionality which is likely to be frequently accessed and contains valuable content and user information.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on immediate patching of the NMCMS 2.1 application to the latest secure version that addresses this SQL injection flaw. Organizations should implement proper input validation and parameterized queries throughout their web applications to prevent similar issues from occurring. Database access controls should be reviewed and restricted to minimize the impact of potential exploitation, ensuring that database accounts used by the application have minimal required privileges. Additionally, implementing web application firewalls and intrusion detection systems can provide additional layers of protection. The remediation approach should align with the ATT&CK framework's mitigation strategies for SQL injection attacks, emphasizing the importance of secure coding practices and input validation. Organizations should also conduct comprehensive security assessments of their web applications to identify and remediate similar vulnerabilities across their entire technology stack, as this type of flaw often indicates broader security gaps in application development practices.