CVE-2018-18286 in Suite
Summary
by MITRE
SQL injection vulnerabilities in CMG Suite 8.4 SP2 and earlier, could allow an unauthenticated attacker to conduct an SQL injection attack due to insufficient input validation for the changepwd interface. A successful exploit could allow an attacker to extract sensitive information from the database and execute arbitrary scripts.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/02/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-18286 represents a critical SQL injection flaw within the CMG Suite 8.4 SP2 and earlier versions, specifically affecting the changepwd interface. This security weakness stems from inadequate input validation mechanisms that fail to properly sanitize user-supplied data before processing. The vulnerability exists in the password change functionality where the application does not adequately filter or escape special characters that could be interpreted as SQL commands by the underlying database engine. Attackers can exploit this weakness by crafting malicious input that bypasses authentication checks and directly manipulates database queries through the vulnerable interface.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when an attacker submits specially crafted input through the changepwd endpoint without authentication requirements. The insufficient input validation allows malicious SQL payloads to be executed within the database context, potentially enabling attackers to extract sensitive information from database tables, including user credentials, personal data, and system configuration details. The vulnerability's impact extends beyond simple data theft as it can also permit arbitrary code execution within the database environment, potentially allowing attackers to escalate privileges and gain deeper system access. This type of vulnerability falls under CWE-89 which specifically addresses SQL injection flaws where untrusted data is incorporated into SQL commands without proper sanitization.
From an operational perspective, the vulnerability presents a severe risk to organizations using CMG Suite versions prior to 8.4 SP3, as it creates an unauthenticated attack vector that does not require valid credentials or prior system access. The attack surface is particularly concerning because the changepwd interface is typically designed to be accessible to legitimate users for password management, but this vulnerability allows unauthorized individuals to exploit the interface for malicious purposes. The potential for data exfiltration and system compromise makes this vulnerability particularly dangerous in environments where sensitive personal or corporate data is stored in the affected database systems.
Security mitigation strategies for CVE-2018-18286 should focus on immediate patching of affected CMG Suite versions to 8.4 SP3 or later, which contains the necessary input validation fixes. Organizations should also implement network-level protections such as web application firewalls that can detect and block common SQL injection patterns targeting the changepwd interface. Additionally, input validation should be strengthened through parameterized queries and proper escaping mechanisms to prevent malicious SQL code from being executed. The remediation efforts should align with ATT&CK framework techniques related to command and control, credential access, and defense evasion, as attackers could leverage this vulnerability to establish persistent access and move laterally within compromised environments. Regular security assessments and input validation testing should be implemented to prevent similar vulnerabilities from emerging in other application interfaces.