CVE-2018-19895 in ThinkCMF
Summary
by MITRE
ThinkCMF X2.2.2 has SQL Injection via the function edit_post() in NavController.class.php and is exploitable with the manager privilege via the parentid parameter in a nav action.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/13/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-19895 affects ThinkCMF version X2.2.2 and represents a critical SQL injection flaw within the navigation management functionality of the content management framework. This vulnerability exists in the NavController.class.php file specifically within the edit_post() function, which processes navigation-related data modifications. The flaw allows authenticated attackers with manager privileges to execute arbitrary SQL commands by manipulating the parentid parameter during navigation actions, potentially leading to complete system compromise and unauthorized data access.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and sanitization within the navigation management module. When the edit_post() function processes the parentid parameter, it fails to properly escape or parameterize user-supplied input before incorporating it into SQL query construction. This classic SQL injection vector enables an attacker with manager-level access to manipulate the underlying database queries and execute malicious SQL statements. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it requires only manager privileges rather than administrative access, making it exploitable by users who have been granted limited administrative capabilities within the system.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability creates significant risks for organizations using ThinkCMF X2.2.2 as their web content management platform. Successful exploitation could allow attackers to extract sensitive database information including user credentials, application configuration details, and potentially the entire content repository. The attacker could also modify or delete navigation structures, potentially disrupting website functionality and user experience. Furthermore, the SQL injection could be leveraged to escalate privileges within the database, access other system components, or establish persistent backdoors within the application environment. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-89 which specifically addresses SQL injection flaws in software applications.
The exploitation of this vulnerability requires an authenticated user with manager privileges, which provides some operational context regarding attack vectors and threat modeling. According to ATT&CK framework, this represents a privilege escalation and credential access technique where an attacker leverages existing access to perform more dangerous operations. The vulnerability also maps to ATT&CK technique T1078 which covers legitimate credentials usage and T1190 which covers exploitation of remote services. Organizations should consider this vulnerability in their threat modeling and incident response planning, as it represents a pathway for attackers to gain deeper access to systems and data.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2018-19895 should include immediate patching of the ThinkCMF framework to version X2.2.3 or later, which contains the necessary security fixes for this SQL injection vulnerability. Additionally, organizations should implement proper input validation and parameterized query execution throughout their applications, particularly in modules handling user-supplied data. Network segmentation and access control measures can help limit the impact of potential exploitation by restricting access to manager-level accounts. Regular security auditing and penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other components of the application stack. The implementation of web application firewalls and database activity monitoring can provide additional layers of protection against exploitation attempts. Organizations should also ensure proper privilege management and least-privilege access controls to minimize the potential damage from compromised manager accounts.