CVE-2018-18982 in NUOO
Summary
by MITRE
NUUO CMS All versions 3.3 and prior the web server application allows injection of arbitrary SQL characters, which can be used to inject SQL into an executing statement and allow arbitrary code execution.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/25/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-18982 affects NUUO CMS versions 3.3 and earlier, representing a critical SQL injection flaw within the web server application component. This weakness stems from inadequate input validation and sanitization mechanisms that fail to properly escape or filter user-supplied data before incorporating it into SQL query statements. The vulnerability exists in the application's handling of database interactions where user-controllable parameters are directly concatenated into SQL commands without proper security measures.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through the injection of malicious SQL characters into input fields that are processed by the web server application. When attackers submit specially crafted payloads containing SQL metacharacters such as single quotes, semicolons, or comment markers, the application fails to properly sanitize these inputs before executing database queries. This allows threat actors to manipulate the intended SQL execution flow and potentially inject additional SQL commands that can be executed with the privileges of the database user account. The vulnerability's impact extends beyond simple data extraction to enable full arbitrary code execution capabilities.
The operational implications of this vulnerability are severe and multifaceted, as it provides attackers with extensive access to the underlying system infrastructure. Successful exploitation can lead to complete system compromise, data exfiltration, and persistence mechanisms within the network. The vulnerability affects the entire NUUO CMS ecosystem, potentially exposing surveillance systems to unauthorized access and manipulation. Organizations relying on these systems for security monitoring face significant risks including unauthorized video access, system disruption, and potential use as a foothold for broader network infiltration. The impact is particularly concerning given that NUUO CMS is commonly deployed in security-critical environments where system integrity and data confidentiality are paramount.
From a cybersecurity framework perspective, this vulnerability aligns with CWE-89 which specifically addresses SQL injection flaws, and maps to several ATT&CK techniques including T1071.004 for application layer protocol usage and T1046 for network service scanning. The vulnerability demonstrates poor input validation practices and inadequate application security controls that violate fundamental security principles. Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including patching to the latest NUUO CMS versions, implementing web application firewalls, and conducting comprehensive security assessments of all database interactions. Additionally, network segmentation, privilege minimization, and regular security monitoring should be enforced to reduce the attack surface and detect potential exploitation attempts. The vulnerability underscores the critical importance of secure coding practices and regular vulnerability assessments in preventing such severe security incidents.