CVE-2018-18758 in Open Faculty Evaluation System
Summary
by MITRE
Open Faculty Evaluation System 7 for PHP 7 allows submit_feedback.php SQL Injection, a different vulnerability than CVE-2018-18757.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/06/2023
The Open Faculty Evaluation System 7 for PHP 7 presents a critical SQL injection vulnerability in the submit_feedback.php component that represents a distinct threat vector from the related CVE-2018-18757 vulnerability. This vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and improper parameter handling within the feedback submission mechanism, creating a pathway for malicious actors to execute arbitrary SQL commands against the underlying database infrastructure. The flaw specifically manifests when user-supplied data is directly incorporated into SQL query constructions without proper sanitization or parameterization, allowing attackers to manipulate the intended query execution flow.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through the manipulation of input fields within the feedback submission process, where attacker-controlled data can be crafted to inject malicious SQL payloads. This injection occurs at the application layer and leverages the system's failure to properly escape or parameterize user inputs before incorporating them into database queries. The vulnerability follows the CWE-89 classification for SQL injection, specifically manifesting as an improper input validation issue where the application trusts user input without adequate sanitization measures. Attackers can potentially extract sensitive data, modify database records, or even gain elevated privileges within the system's database environment.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data compromise, as it can enable attackers to perform comprehensive database enumeration, extract user credentials, access confidential faculty evaluation data, and potentially escalate privileges to administrative levels. The vulnerability affects the integrity and confidentiality of the entire evaluation system, potentially exposing sensitive academic information and undermining the trustworthiness of the faculty evaluation process. Organizations relying on this system face significant risk of data breaches, regulatory compliance violations, and potential legal consequences due to unauthorized data access. The attack surface is particularly concerning given that feedback submission represents a common user interaction point that likely receives frequent access from multiple users.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should prioritize immediate implementation of parameterized queries and input validation mechanisms within the submit_feedback.php component. The system should adopt prepared statements with proper parameter binding to prevent SQL injection attacks from succeeding. Additionally, comprehensive input sanitization routines must be implemented to filter and validate all user-supplied data before database interaction. Security measures should include regular code reviews focusing on database interaction patterns, implementation of web application firewalls, and enforcement of principle of least privilege for database accounts. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1071.004 for application layer protocol manipulation and T1046 for network service discovery, indicating that attackers may use this vulnerability as part of broader reconnaissance and exploitation campaigns. Organizations should also implement monitoring solutions to detect anomalous database query patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts. Regular security updates and vulnerability assessments should be conducted to ensure the system maintains adequate protection against similar threats. The remediation process must include thorough testing of patched components to verify that the SQL injection vulnerability has been completely eliminated while maintaining system functionality.