CVE-2018-17831 in Redaxo
Summary
by MITRE
In REDAXO before 5.6.3, a critical SQL injection vulnerability has been discovered in the rex_list class because of the prepareQuery function in core/lib/list.php, via the index.php?page=users/users sort parameter. Endangered was the backend and the frontend only if rex_list were used.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/19/2023
The vulnerability CVE-2018-17831 represents a critical SQL injection flaw in REDAXO content management systems prior to version 5.6.3. This vulnerability specifically targets the rex_list class within the core/lib/list.php file, where the prepareQuery function fails to properly sanitize user input. The attack vector occurs through the sort parameter in the index.php?page=users/users endpoint, making it accessible via the web interface. The vulnerability affects both backend administrative interfaces and frontend implementations where the rex_list class is utilized, creating a broad attack surface for malicious actors. This issue falls under CWE-89 which categorizes SQL injection vulnerabilities as critical security flaws that can lead to complete system compromise when exploited properly.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when an attacker manipulates the sort parameter in the users/users page to inject malicious SQL commands. The prepareQuery function in core/lib/list.php does not adequately validate or escape user-supplied input before incorporating it into database queries, allowing attackers to construct malicious SQL statements that execute with the privileges of the web application. This flaw enables unauthorized access to sensitive data, potential data manipulation, and could lead to complete system compromise depending on the database permissions granted to the web application user. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it leverages legitimate application functionality to execute malicious code, making detection more challenging.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft to encompass complete system compromise and unauthorized access to sensitive information. Attackers could potentially extract user credentials, personal data, and administrative access tokens from the database. The vulnerability affects both frontend and backend components since the rex_list class is used throughout the application for data presentation. This means that even frontend pages utilizing list functionality could be compromised, expanding the potential attack surface significantly. The vulnerability also impacts the integrity of the application's data layer and could allow attackers to modify or delete critical information stored in the database.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2018-17831 involve immediate patching of REDAXO installations to version 5.6.3 or later, where the SQL injection vulnerability has been addressed through proper input sanitization and parameterized queries. Organizations should implement input validation controls at multiple levels, including web application firewalls and application-level security measures. The fix typically involves ensuring that user-supplied parameters are properly escaped or parameterized before being incorporated into database queries, which aligns with ATT&CK technique T1071.004 for application layer attacks. Additionally, implementing principle of least privilege for database accounts, regular security audits, and monitoring for suspicious database access patterns can help detect and prevent exploitation attempts. Security teams should also consider implementing automated vulnerability scanning tools to identify similar issues in other applications and dependencies.