CVE-2018-14515 in WUZHI
Summary
by MITRE
A SQL injection was discovered in WUZHI CMS 4.1.0 that allows remote attackers to inject a malicious SQL statement via the index.php?m=promote&f=index&v=search keywords parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/25/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-14515 represents a critical SQL injection flaw within WUZHI CMS version 4.1.0 that exposes the application to remote code execution risks. This weakness resides in the parameter handling mechanism of the promote module where user input is directly incorporated into database queries without proper sanitization or validation. The specific attack vector involves the keywords parameter within the URL structure index.php?m=promote&f=index&v=search keywords, which allows malicious actors to inject arbitrary SQL commands that can manipulate the underlying database structure and potentially extract sensitive information from the system.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and improper parameter binding within the application's database interaction layer. When the system processes the keywords parameter, it fails to implement proper escape sequences or prepared statement mechanisms that would normally prevent malicious SQL code from being executed. This design flaw aligns with CWE-89 which specifically addresses SQL injection vulnerabilities where untrusted data is incorporated into SQL queries without adequate sanitization. The vulnerability exists at the application logic level where the developers failed to implement proper input filtering mechanisms that would validate or sanitize user-supplied data before incorporating it into database operations.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft to encompass complete system compromise and potential denial of service conditions. Remote attackers can leverage this weakness to extract database contents including user credentials, application configuration details, and sensitive business data. The vulnerability enables attackers to perform unauthorized database operations such as data modification, deletion, or extraction of administrative privileges. According to ATT&CK framework reference T1071.004, this vulnerability represents a technique for executing malicious code through application layer protocols where the SQL injection serves as a primary exploitation method. The remote nature of the attack means that threat actors can exploit this weakness from any location without requiring physical access to the system, making it particularly dangerous for web applications hosting sensitive information.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate implementation of input validation and parameterized queries within the affected application. System administrators should implement proper escape sequence handling and ensure all user inputs are sanitized before database processing occurs. The recommended approach involves adopting prepared statements or parameterized queries that separate SQL code from data, thereby preventing malicious input from being interpreted as executable commands. Additionally, implementing proper access controls and database query logging can help detect and prevent exploitation attempts. Organizations should also consider applying the latest security patches provided by the WUZHI CMS development team, as this vulnerability was likely addressed in subsequent releases. Network-level protections including web application firewalls and intrusion detection systems can provide additional layers of defense against exploitation attempts targeting this specific vulnerability. The remediation process should include comprehensive code review to identify similar patterns throughout the application that might present comparable risks, ensuring that all database interaction points implement proper input validation and sanitization procedures.