CVE-2018-17110 in Simple POS
Summary
by MITRE
Simple POS 4.0.24 allows SQL Injection via a products/get_products/ columns[0][search][value] parameter in the management panel, as demonstrated by products/get_products/1.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/24/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-17110 represents a critical sql injection flaw within the Simple POS 4.0.24 point of sale system. This vulnerability specifically targets the management panel interface where the application fails to properly sanitize user input passed through the products/get_products/ columns[0][search][value] parameter. The flaw allows an attacker to manipulate the underlying database queries by injecting malicious sql code through this parameter, which is then executed with the privileges of the application's database user. The vulnerability is particularly concerning as it occurs within the product management functionality, which typically requires elevated privileges and contains sensitive business data.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from improper input validation and parameter handling within the application's backend processing. When a user interacts with the product search functionality in the management panel, the application directly incorporates the user-supplied search value into sql queries without appropriate sanitization or parameterization. This creates a classic sql injection vector where attackers can craft malicious inputs that alter the intended query execution flow. The specific parameter structure columns[0][search][value] suggests this is part of a datatables.js implementation where search parameters are processed server-side, making the vulnerability more complex as it involves structured parameter parsing. The demonstration using products/get_products/1 indicates that the vulnerability can be exploited through the api endpoint that handles product listings and searches.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe as it provides attackers with unauthorized access to the underlying database containing sensitive business information including product catalogs, pricing data, inventory levels, and potentially customer information. An attacker could extract, modify, or delete critical business data, potentially leading to financial loss, competitive disadvantages, and regulatory compliance violations. The vulnerability affects the management panel specifically, which typically requires authentication, but once exploited, could provide access to database credentials or allow privilege escalation within the application. This type of vulnerability can also serve as a stepping stone for further attacks within the network infrastructure, as database credentials are often reused across systems. The vulnerability has been classified under CWE-89 which specifically addresses sql injection flaws, and aligns with attack patterns documented in the mitre att&ck framework under the data manipulation category.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2018-17110 should prioritize immediate application updates to the latest version where the vulnerability has been patched. Organizations should implement proper input validation and parameterized queries to prevent sql injection attacks. The application should employ prepared statements or stored procedures instead of dynamic sql construction. Network segmentation and access controls should be implemented to limit access to the management panel to authorized personnel only. Regular security testing including automated sql injection scanning should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities. Additionally, database access should be restricted to the minimum required privileges for the application to function, following the principle of least privilege. Security monitoring should be implemented to detect unusual database access patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls to help detect and block malicious sql injection payloads. The vulnerability highlights the importance of proper input sanitization and the need for comprehensive security testing during software development lifecycle phases.