CVE-2018-3882 in ERPNext
Summary
by MITRE
An exploitable SQL injection vulnerability exists in the authenticated part of ERPNext v10.1.6. Specially crafted web requests can cause SQL injections resulting in data compromise. The searchfield parameter can be used to perform an SQL injection attack. An attacker can use a browser to trigger these vulnerabilities, and no special tools are required.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/16/2023
The CVE-2018-3882 vulnerability represents a critical SQL injection flaw within the ERPNext enterprise resource planning system version 10.1.6 that affects the authenticated administrative interface. This vulnerability resides in the searchfield parameter handling mechanism, which processes user input without proper sanitization or parameterization, creating a direct pathway for malicious SQL commands to be executed against the underlying database. The flaw specifically targets the web application's search functionality that operates within the authenticated portion of the system, meaning that an attacker must first establish valid credentials to exploit this vulnerability, though the authentication requirement does not prevent the severity of the potential impact.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from improper input validation and query construction practices within the ERPNext application codebase. When users interact with the search functionality, the application directly incorporates user-supplied data from the searchfield parameter into SQL queries without adequate escaping or parameter binding mechanisms. This pattern aligns with CWE-89, which classifies SQL injection as a weakness where untrusted data is embedded into SQL commands, and follows the attack patterns documented in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under technique T1071.004 for application layer protocol manipulation. The vulnerability demonstrates a classic example of insufficient input sanitization where the application fails to properly validate or escape user-provided input before incorporating it into database queries, creating a direct injection vector for malicious SQL payloads.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft, as successful exploitation can lead to complete database compromise, unauthorized access to sensitive business information, and potential lateral movement within the network. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to extract confidential data including financial records, customer information, employee details, and proprietary business data that would otherwise be protected by the system's access controls. The vulnerability's accessibility through standard web browser interactions means that even non-technical attackers can potentially exploit this flaw, making it particularly dangerous in environments where privileged credentials might be compromised through social engineering or other attack vectors. The authenticated nature of the vulnerability does not mitigate the risk, as it can be exploited by insiders or compromised legitimate users, potentially leading to significant financial and reputational damage.
Organizations affected by this vulnerability should implement immediate mitigations including applying the vendor-provided patch or upgrade to a version that addresses this SQL injection flaw, implementing web application firewalls to detect and block malicious SQL injection patterns, and conducting thorough security assessments of the application's input handling mechanisms. Additional defensive measures should include implementing proper input validation and parameterized queries throughout the application codebase, conducting regular security code reviews, and establishing monitoring procedures to detect unauthorized database access attempts. The vulnerability also underscores the importance of following secure coding practices and adhering to industry standards such as OWASP Top Ten and NIST cybersecurity guidelines for preventing injection vulnerabilities. Organizations should also consider implementing principle of least privilege access controls and regular credential rotation to minimize the potential impact of compromised accounts, while ensuring that all database connections use appropriate authentication and encryption mechanisms to protect against unauthorized access.