CVE-2018-14967 in EMLsoft
Summary
by MITRE
An issue was discovered in EMLsoft 5.4.5. upload\eml\action\action.user.php has SQL Injection via the numPerPage parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/13/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-14967 represents a critical SQL injection flaw within EMLsoft version 5.4.5, specifically affecting the upload\emlctionction.user.php script. This vulnerability exposes the application to unauthorized data access and potential system compromise through malicious manipulation of the numPerPage parameter. The flaw arises from insufficient input validation and sanitization mechanisms that fail to properly escape or filter user-supplied data before incorporating it into database queries. Security researchers have classified this issue as a classic SQL injection vulnerability, which falls under the CWE-89 category of improper neutralization of special elements used in an SQL command. The attack vector leverages the web application's failure to implement proper parameterized queries or input sanitization techniques, allowing malicious actors to inject arbitrary SQL code through the vulnerable parameter.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data extraction, as it provides attackers with the capability to perform full database enumeration, data modification, and potentially execute arbitrary commands on the underlying database server. An attacker could exploit this vulnerability to access sensitive user information, including credentials, personal data, and system configurations stored within the application's database. The vulnerability affects the application's authentication and authorization mechanisms, potentially enabling privilege escalation attacks where low-privilege users could gain administrative access. This type of vulnerability directly aligns with ATT&CK technique T1071.005 for application layer protocol and T1046 for network service scanning, as attackers would typically probe for such vulnerabilities before attempting more sophisticated exploitation. The vulnerability also represents a weakness in the application's defense in depth strategy, as it demonstrates inadequate input validation controls at the application layer.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate implementation of parameterized queries and proper input validation mechanisms throughout the application codebase. Organizations should implement comprehensive input sanitization routines that filter or escape special characters before database interactions, particularly targeting the numPerPage parameter and similar user-supplied inputs. The recommended approach includes adopting prepared statements or stored procedures that separate SQL code from user data, effectively preventing malicious SQL code injection. Additionally, implementing proper access controls and database permissions can limit the damage potential even if exploitation occurs. Security teams should conduct thorough code reviews to identify similar patterns across the application, as this vulnerability likely indicates broader input validation issues. The implementation of web application firewalls and intrusion detection systems can provide additional monitoring and protection against exploitation attempts. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be integrated into the development lifecycle to prevent similar issues from emerging in future releases. Organizations must also ensure that all software components are kept up-to-date with the latest security patches and that proper security configurations are maintained for database servers and application environments.