CVE-2018-19435 in webERP
Summary
by MITRE
An issue was discovered in the Sales component in webERP 4.15. SalesInquiry.php has SQL Injection via the SortBy parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/14/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-19435 represents a critical SQL injection flaw within the Sales component of webERP version 4.15. This issue specifically affects the SalesInquiry.php script where user input is improperly handled, creating an avenue for malicious actors to execute arbitrary SQL commands against the underlying database. The vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and sanitization mechanisms that fail to properly escape or parameterize user-supplied data before incorporating it into database queries. The SortBy parameter serves as the primary attack vector, allowing attackers to manipulate the sorting functionality of sales inquiries and potentially gain unauthorized access to sensitive data.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability follows standard SQL injection patterns where an attacker can craft malicious input to the SortBy parameter that alters the intended SQL query structure. When the application processes this parameter without proper sanitization, it becomes possible for attackers to inject malicious SQL code that executes with the privileges of the database user account. This can result in data exfiltration, data manipulation, or even complete database compromise depending on the underlying database system and the permissions granted to the web application's database account. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-89 which specifically addresses SQL injection weaknesses in software applications. The attack surface is particularly concerning given that the vulnerability exists within a core sales inquiry functionality that likely handles sensitive customer and transactional data.
Operationally, this vulnerability poses significant risks to organizations using webERP 4.15 as it can lead to unauthorized access to sales records, customer information, financial data, and potentially other sensitive business intelligence stored within the database. The impact extends beyond simple data theft as attackers could manipulate sales figures, customer records, or other critical business data. The vulnerability demonstrates poor input validation practices that violate fundamental security principles and can be exploited by attackers with minimal technical expertise. According to ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability maps to T1071.005 Application Layer Protocol: Web Protocols and T1190 Exploit Public-Facing Application, highlighting how attackers can leverage web application flaws to achieve their objectives. The attack can be executed remotely without requiring authentication, making it particularly dangerous for organizations with publicly accessible webERP installations.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2018-19435 should prioritize immediate patching of the webERP application to the latest version that addresses this vulnerability. Organizations should implement proper input validation and parameterized queries throughout their application codebase to prevent similar issues from occurring in other components. The principle of least privilege should be enforced by ensuring database accounts used by webERP have minimal required permissions and access rights. Network segmentation and web application firewalls can provide additional layers of protection by monitoring and filtering malicious traffic patterns. Regular security audits and code reviews should be conducted to identify and remediate similar input validation weaknesses. Organizations should also implement proper logging and monitoring of database activities to detect potential exploitation attempts. The vulnerability underscores the importance of maintaining up-to-date software versions and implementing robust security controls throughout the application development lifecycle.