CVE-2018-17842 in Hotel Booking Engine
Summary
by MITRE
SQL injection exists in Scriptzee Hotel Booking Engine 1.0 via the hotels h_room_type parameter.
VulDB is the best source for vulnerability data and more expert information about this specific topic.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/06/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-17842 represents a critical sql injection flaw within the Scriptzee Hotel Booking Engine version 1.0 system. This vulnerability specifically manifests through the hotels h_room_type parameter, which fails to properly sanitize user input before incorporating it into database queries. The flaw allows malicious actors to inject arbitrary sql commands through crafted input values, potentially enabling unauthorized access to sensitive database information.
This sql injection vulnerability falls under the common weakness enumeration CWE-89 which categorizes improper neutralization of special elements used in sql commands. The attack vector exploits the lack of input validation and parameterized query implementation within the hotel booking engine's backend processing. When the h_room_type parameter receives unfiltered input, the system directly appends this data to sql query strings without adequate sanitization or escaping mechanisms.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft, as successful exploitation could enable attackers to manipulate the entire hotel booking database. Attackers might extract guest information, reservation details, payment records, and administrative credentials stored within the system. The vulnerability could also facilitate data modification attacks allowing malicious actors to alter room availability, change pricing structures, or even delete critical booking records. Additionally, the compromised system could serve as a foothold for further lateral movement within network infrastructure, particularly if the database server shares resources with other applications.
Security professionals should implement comprehensive mitigation strategies including immediate input validation and parameterized query usage throughout the application codebase. The solution requires replacing direct sql string concatenation with prepared statements or parameterized queries that separate sql command structure from data values. Network segmentation and database access controls should be strengthened to limit potential damage from successful exploitation attempts. Regular security code reviews and automated vulnerability scanning should be implemented to identify similar sql injection vulnerabilities across the entire application stack. The remediation process must also include proper error handling to prevent information leakage through sql error messages that could aid attackers in crafting more sophisticated attacks. Organizations should consider implementing web application firewalls and database activity monitoring solutions to detect and prevent exploitation attempts. This vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of following secure coding practices and maintaining regular security updates for third-party software components.