CVE-2018-13792 in FlexiCapture
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple SQL injection vulnerabilities in the monitoring feature in the HTTP API in ABBYY FlexiCapture before 12 Release 2 allow an attacker to execute arbitrary SQL commands via the mask, sortOrder, filter, or Order parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/09/2020
The vulnerability CVE-2018-13792 represents a critical SQL injection flaw within the monitoring functionality of ABBYY FlexiCapture software version 12 Release 1 and earlier. This security weakness exists in the HTTP API component that handles monitoring features, making it particularly dangerous as it allows unauthorized users to manipulate database queries through specific parameters. The affected system components include the mask, sortOrder, filter, and Order parameters which are all susceptible to malicious input manipulation. This vulnerability falls under CWE-89 which specifically addresses SQL injection flaws where untrusted data is incorporated into SQL commands without proper sanitization or validation. The attack vector leverages the application's failure to properly escape or validate user-supplied input before incorporating it into database queries, creating an environment where attackers can execute arbitrary SQL commands with the privileges of the database user account.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft or modification as it provides attackers with the capability to perform complete database compromise. An attacker exploiting this vulnerability could gain access to sensitive information stored within the FlexiCapture system including document processing data, user credentials, and system configurations. The monitoring feature typically requires elevated privileges to access, but the SQL injection allows attackers to bypass authentication mechanisms and directly manipulate the underlying database. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1071.004 which covers application layer protocol manipulation and T1046 which addresses network service enumeration. The exposure of database access through API endpoints makes this particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where FlexiCapture systems process sensitive business documents and information.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability requires minimal prerequisites as attackers only need to send specially crafted HTTP requests to the affected API endpoints. The vulnerability affects all versions prior to ABBYY FlexiCapture 12 Release 2, indicating that organizations running older versions face immediate risk without patching. The parameter-based nature of the injection means that attackers can target different aspects of the monitoring functionality to achieve their objectives. Database administrators should note that this vulnerability affects the application layer rather than network infrastructure, making traditional network-based security controls insufficient for protection. Organizations should implement comprehensive input validation and parameterized queries as immediate defensive measures. The vulnerability demonstrates poor input sanitization practices and highlights the critical importance of following secure coding guidelines such as those outlined in OWASP Top Ten and the CWE guidelines for preventing SQL injection attacks. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls and database activity monitoring to detect and prevent exploitation attempts.