CVE-2018-17575 in SWA.JACAD
Summary
by MITRE
SWA SWA.JACAD 3.1.37 Build 024 has SQL Injection via the /academico/aluno/esqueci-minha-senha/ studentId parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/27/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-17575 affects SWA JACAD version 3.1.37 Build 024, a student management system widely used in educational institutions. This application serves as a critical component for academic administration, handling sensitive student data including personal information, academic records, and authentication credentials. The system's web interface exposes multiple attack surfaces, with this particular vulnerability manifesting through the password recovery mechanism that processes student identification parameters.
The technical flaw resides in the improper input validation and sanitization of the studentId parameter within the URL path /academico/aluno/esqueci-minha-senha/. When an attacker submits malicious input through this parameter, the application fails to properly escape or parameterize the user-supplied data before incorporating it into SQL queries. This oversight creates a classic SQL injection vulnerability that allows an attacker to manipulate the underlying database queries and potentially execute arbitrary SQL commands. The vulnerability is classified as CWE-89 according to the Common Weakness Enumeration catalog, which specifically addresses SQL injection flaws in software applications.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft, as it provides attackers with the capability to perform extensive database manipulation. An attacker could potentially extract all student records, modify academic information, reset passwords for arbitrary users, or even escalate privileges within the system. The attack surface is particularly concerning given that the vulnerable endpoint is part of the password recovery process, which is typically accessed by users who may be less vigilant about security. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1213.002 for Data from Databases and T1078.004 for Valid Accounts, as it could enable unauthorized access to student credentials and sensitive academic data.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should include immediate implementation of parameterized queries or prepared statements to prevent SQL injection attacks. The application code must undergo thorough input validation and sanitization, ensuring all user-supplied parameters are properly escaped before database interaction. Additionally, implementing proper access controls and authentication mechanisms around the password recovery endpoint would reduce the attack surface. Security patches should be applied immediately, and the system should be monitored for any signs of exploitation attempts. Network segmentation and intrusion detection systems should be configured to monitor for suspicious SQL query patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts. Regular security assessments and code reviews should be conducted to identify and remediate similar vulnerabilities throughout the application codebase, ensuring compliance with industry standards such as OWASP Top Ten and NIST cybersecurity frameworks.