CVE-2018-16137 in IPBRICK
Summary
by MITRE
An issue was discovered in the Web Management Console in IPBRICK OS 6.3. There are multiple SQL injections.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/17/2023
The vulnerability CVE-2018-16137 represents a critical security flaw in the Web Management Console component of IPBRICK OS version 6.3, specifically exposing multiple SQL injection vulnerabilities that can be exploited by remote attackers to gain unauthorized access to backend database systems. This issue falls under the Common Weakness Enumeration category CWE-89 which defines SQL injection as the insertion of malicious SQL code into input fields for execution by the database. The affected IPBRICK OS 6.3 platform utilizes a web-based management interface that fails to properly sanitize user inputs before incorporating them into SQL queries, creating persistent entry points for malicious actors to manipulate database operations.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when authenticated or unauthenticated users submit specially crafted input parameters through the web management console interface. These inputs are then directly concatenated into SQL query strings without proper input validation or parameterization, allowing attackers to inject malicious SQL commands that can manipulate database structures, extract sensitive information, modify data, or even execute administrative commands on the underlying database system. The vulnerability affects multiple endpoints within the console, suggesting a systemic lack of input sanitization across the web application layer, which is a fundamental security oversight in modern application development practices.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data compromise, as successful exploitation can lead to complete system takeover, data exfiltration, and potential lateral movement within network environments. Attackers can leverage these SQL injection points to escalate privileges, access administrative accounts, or extract confidential information including user credentials, system configurations, and business data. The presence of multiple injection points increases the attack surface and reduces the effort required for exploitation, making this vulnerability particularly dangerous in environments where IPBRICK OS devices serve as critical infrastructure components. According to ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability maps to T1071.004 for application layer protocol and T1003 for data tampering, highlighting the potential for both information gathering and system manipulation activities.
Organizations utilizing IPBRICK OS 6.3 should immediately implement mitigations including input validation, parameterized queries, and web application firewalls to protect against exploitation attempts. The most effective remediation involves applying the vendor-provided security patches or upgrading to newer versions of the operating system that address these SQL injection vulnerabilities. Additionally, implementing proper access controls, network segmentation, and monitoring solutions can help detect and prevent exploitation attempts. Security teams should also conduct comprehensive penetration testing to identify any additional injection points within the web management console and related applications, ensuring that all input handling mechanisms properly validate and sanitize user data before processing.