CVE-2018-1290 in Fineract
Summary
by MITRE
In Apache Fineract versions 1.0.0, 0.6.0-incubating, 0.5.0-incubating, 0.4.0-incubating, Using a single quotation escape with two continuous SQL parameters can cause a SQL injection. This could be done in Methods like retrieveAuditEntries of AuditsApiResource Class and retrieveCommands of MakercheckersApiResource Class.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/30/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-1290 affects Apache Fineract versions 1.0.0, 0.6.0-incubating, 0.5.0-incubating, and 0.4.0-incubating, representing a critical SQL injection flaw that undermines the database security of financial management applications. This vulnerability stems from improper handling of SQL parameterization within specific API endpoints, creating opportunities for malicious actors to manipulate database queries through carefully crafted input sequences.
The technical flaw manifests when using a single quotation escape character followed by two consecutive SQL parameters, a technique that bypasses standard input validation mechanisms. This particular method exploits weaknesses in the parameter binding process within the AuditsApiResource and MakercheckersApiResource classes, specifically in the retrieveAuditEntries and retrieveCommands methods respectively. The vulnerability occurs because the application fails to properly sanitize or escape user-supplied parameters before incorporating them into SQL queries, allowing attackers to inject malicious SQL code that executes with the privileges of the database user.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft, as it enables attackers to perform unauthorized database operations including data extraction, modification, or deletion. Financial institutions utilizing Apache Fineract systems become vulnerable to sophisticated attacks where threat actors can access sensitive customer information, manipulate financial records, or disrupt system operations. The vulnerability affects both audit logging and maker-checker functionality, which are critical components for maintaining transaction integrity and regulatory compliance in financial applications.
Security professionals should note that this vulnerability aligns with CWE-89, which specifically addresses SQL injection weaknesses in software applications. The attack vector follows patterns consistent with ATT&CK technique T1071.004 for application layer protocol manipulation, where adversaries exploit application vulnerabilities to access backend database systems. Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including input validation, parameterized queries, and regular security assessments of their financial management platforms.
The recommended remediation strategy involves upgrading to patched versions of Apache Fineract where the parameter handling has been corrected to properly escape or sanitize all user inputs before database interaction. Additionally, implementing proper input validation and using prepared statements with proper parameter binding can prevent similar vulnerabilities in other applications. Security teams should conduct thorough code reviews focusing on database interaction points and establish monitoring protocols to detect anomalous database access patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts.
Organizations using affected versions should also consider implementing network-level protections such as web application firewalls and database activity monitoring solutions to detect and prevent exploitation attempts. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of secure coding practices in financial applications where database security directly impacts customer trust and regulatory compliance requirements. Regular security testing and vulnerability assessments should be integrated into development lifecycle processes to identify and remediate similar issues before they can be exploited in production environments.