CVE-2018-19558 in arcms
Summary
by MITRE
An issue was discovered in arcms through 2018-03-19. SQL injection exists via the json/newslist limit parameter because of ctl/main/Json.php, ctl/main/service/Data.php, and comp/Db/Mysql.php.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/15/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-19558 represents a critical sql injection flaw within the arcms application framework, specifically affecting versions through 2018-03-19. This vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and sanitization mechanisms within the application's data handling pipeline, creating a pathway for malicious actors to execute arbitrary sql commands against the underlying database system. The flaw is particularly concerning as it exists within core application components that handle data retrieval and processing operations, making it a fundamental weakness in the software's security architecture.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs through the json/newslist endpoint where the limit parameter fails to properly sanitize user input before incorporating it into sql query construction. The affected files ctl/main/Json.php, ctl/main/service/Data.php, and comp/Db/Mysql.php demonstrate a cascading failure in input validation where user-supplied data flows directly into database queries without adequate filtering or parameterization. This design flaw allows attackers to manipulate the limit parameter to inject malicious sql payloads that can bypass authentication, extract sensitive data, modify database contents, or even execute system commands depending on the database configuration and privileges available to the application.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft, as it provides attackers with potential access to the entire database infrastructure underlying the arcms application. Attackers can exploit this weakness to perform unauthorized data access, data manipulation, and potentially gain elevated privileges within the database environment. The vulnerability affects the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of the system by enabling unauthorized access to sensitive information and potentially allowing for complete database compromise. Organizations using affected versions of arcms face significant risk of data breaches, regulatory compliance violations, and potential system downtime due to unauthorized modifications or deletions.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2018-19558 should prioritize immediate patching of the affected application versions to address the root cause of the sql injection vulnerability. Organizations should implement proper input validation and sanitization measures across all user-facing parameters, particularly those used in database query construction. The implementation of prepared statements and parameterized queries in the affected database components would prevent malicious input from being interpreted as sql code. Additionally, network segmentation and database access controls should be enforced to limit the potential impact of successful exploitation. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-89 which specifically addresses sql injection flaws, and represents a clear violation of the principle of least privilege as outlined in the mitre att&ck framework under the execution and credential access tactics. Organizations should also implement web application firewalls and regular security scanning to detect and prevent similar vulnerabilities in other application components.