CVE-2018-18619 in Advanced Comment System
Summary
by MITRE
internal/advanced_comment_system/admin.php in Advanced Comment System 1.0 is prone to an SQL injection vulnerability because it fails to sufficiently sanitize user-supplied data before using it in an SQL query, allowing remote attackers to execute the sqli attack via a URL in the "page" parameter. NOTE: The product is discontinued.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/23/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-18619 affects the Advanced Comment System version 1.0, specifically within the internal/advanced_comment_system/admin.php file. This represents a critical security flaw that stems from inadequate input validation and sanitization practices. The vulnerability manifests when the application processes user-supplied data through the "page" parameter in URL requests without proper sanitization measures, creating an exploitable condition that enables malicious actors to manipulate database queries.
This SQL injection vulnerability operates through the improper handling of user input within the administrative interface of the comment system. When attackers craft malicious URLs containing specially formatted data in the page parameter, the application fails to adequately escape or validate this input before incorporating it into SQL queries. The root cause aligns with CWE-89 which specifically addresses SQL injection vulnerabilities where insufficient input validation allows attackers to inject malicious SQL code. The vulnerability is classified as remote because attackers can exploit it without requiring local access to the system, making it particularly dangerous for web applications.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft, as successful exploitation could allow attackers to gain unauthorized access to the underlying database system. Attackers could potentially extract sensitive information, modify or delete database records, and in some cases escalate privileges within the application. The administrative nature of the affected file means that successful exploitation could provide attackers with elevated privileges, potentially enabling full system compromise. This vulnerability directly violates security principles outlined in the OWASP Top Ten, specifically targeting the SQL injection category that consistently ranks among the most critical web application security risks.
The exploitation of this vulnerability requires minimal technical expertise and can be accomplished through standard web application penetration testing tools. Attackers typically need only to craft a malicious URL containing SQL payload within the page parameter to initiate the attack. The discontinued nature of the product does not mitigate the risk, as many organizations may still be running vulnerable versions or have legacy systems that have not been properly updated. Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including input validation, parameterized queries, and web application firewalls to protect against this and similar vulnerabilities.
Recommended mitigations for this vulnerability include implementing proper input validation and sanitization measures throughout the application code, particularly for administrative interfaces. The application should employ parameterized queries or prepared statements to prevent user input from being interpreted as SQL commands. Additionally, implementing proper access controls and authentication mechanisms within the administrative interface would limit the potential impact of successful exploitation. Organizations should also consider implementing database activity monitoring and intrusion detection systems to identify and respond to potential exploitation attempts. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical importance of input validation and the dangers of legacy software that may no longer receive security updates or support from vendors.