CVE-2018-1291 in Fineract
Summary
by MITRE
Apache Fineract 1.0.0, 0.6.0-incubating, 0.5.0-incubating, 0.4.0-incubating exposes different REST end points to query domain specific entities with a Query Parameter 'orderBy' which are appended directly with SQL statements. A hacker/user can inject/draft the 'orderBy' query parameter by way of the "order" param in such a way to read/update the data for which he doesn't have authorization.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/30/2020
Apache Fineract versions 1.0.0, 0.6.0-incubating, 0.5.0-incubating, and 0.4.0-incubating contain a critical SQL injection vulnerability in their REST API endpoints that directly incorporates user-supplied query parameters into SQL statements without proper sanitization or validation. This vulnerability specifically affects the 'orderBy' parameter functionality that allows clients to sort query results, creating a direct path for malicious actors to manipulate database queries through the 'order' parameter. The flaw represents a classic SQL injection attack vector where unauthorized users can construct malicious SQL commands by manipulating the orderBy parameter to execute arbitrary database operations. This vulnerability falls under CWE-89 which categorizes SQL injection flaws as a critical security weakness in database applications. The security implications extend beyond simple data retrieval as attackers can potentially modify or delete sensitive financial data within the Apache Fineract system, which is designed for financial services and credit management. The vulnerability exists because the application fails to implement proper input validation and parameterized queries when processing user-supplied sorting parameters, allowing attackers to inject malicious SQL code that bypasses normal access controls and authorization mechanisms. The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe for financial institutions using Apache Fineract, as it could enable unauthorized access to customer financial records, transaction histories, and other sensitive data that the system is designed to protect. Attackers could exploit this weakness to perform unauthorized data reads, writes, or updates on the underlying database, potentially leading to financial fraud, data breaches, and regulatory compliance violations. The attack surface is particularly concerning given that Apache Fineract is commonly used by microfinance institutions and other financial organizations that handle highly sensitive personal and financial information. This vulnerability directly maps to ATT&CK technique T1213.002 which involves data from information repositories, specifically targeting database systems through injection attacks. Organizations using these vulnerable versions should immediately implement mitigations including input validation, parameterized queries, and proper access controls to prevent exploitation. The vulnerability demonstrates a fundamental flaw in the application's security architecture where user input is not properly sanitized before being incorporated into database operations, creating an attack vector that could compromise the entire financial database infrastructure. Security teams should also consider implementing web application firewalls and database activity monitoring to detect and prevent exploitation attempts. The remediation approach requires updating to patched versions of Apache Fineract or implementing proper input sanitization and parameterized query execution to prevent SQL injection attacks from compromising the system's integrity and confidentiality.