CVE-2018-18529 in ThinkPHP
Summary
by MITRE
ThinkPHP 3.2.4 has SQL Injection via the count parameter because the Library/Think/Db/Driver/Mysql.class.php parseKey function mishandles the key variable. NOTE: a backquote character is not required in the attack URI.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/05/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-18529 represents a critical SQL injection flaw within the ThinkPHP 3.2.4 web application framework that exposes applications to remote code execution risks. This vulnerability specifically affects the MySQL database driver component where the parseKey function fails to properly sanitize user input, creating an avenue for malicious actors to manipulate database queries through the count parameter. The flaw exists in the Library/Think/Db/Driver/Mysql.class.php file, making it a core component of the framework's database interaction layer that directly impacts how SQL queries are constructed and executed.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when an attacker manipulates the count parameter in database queries, leveraging the improper handling of the key variable within the parseKey function to inject malicious SQL code. Unlike many SQL injection vulnerabilities that require specific character sequences or backquote delimiters, this flaw operates without requiring backquote characters in the attack URI, making it more accessible and easier to exploit across different environments. The vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and sanitization practices within the framework's database abstraction layer, where user-supplied parameters are not properly escaped or filtered before being incorporated into SQL statements.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft or manipulation to potentially enable full system compromise when applications are deployed with elevated database privileges. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to extract sensitive information from databases, modify or delete critical data, and in some cases gain access to underlying system resources. The widespread adoption of ThinkPHP 3.2.4 across numerous web applications means that exploitation could affect a large number of vulnerable systems simultaneously, making this a particularly dangerous flaw from a threat landscape perspective. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-89 which categorizes improper neutralization of special elements in SQL commands as a fundamental weakness in application security.
Organizations utilizing ThinkPHP 3.2.4 must implement immediate mitigations including upgrading to patched versions of the framework, implementing proper input validation at multiple layers, and deploying web application firewalls to detect and block malicious SQL injection attempts. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper database abstraction layer security and highlights the need for comprehensive security testing of framework components. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to T1071.004 for application layer protocol and T1213 for data from information repositories, emphasizing the need for robust database security controls. Additionally, implementing parameterized queries and prepared statements can significantly reduce the risk of exploitation, while regular security audits and penetration testing help identify similar vulnerabilities in custom application code that may interact with the framework's database components.