CVE-2018-6330 in Laravel
Summary
by MITRE
Laravel 5.4.15 is vulnerable to Error based SQL injection in save.php via dhx_user and dhx_version parameters.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/17/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-6330 affects Laravel framework version 5.4.15 and represents a critical error-based sql injection flaw within the save.php endpoint. This vulnerability specifically targets the dhx_user and dhx_version parameters, which are processed without adequate input sanitization or validation mechanisms. The flaw allows malicious actors to inject sql commands through these parameters, potentially enabling unauthorized database access and data manipulation. The vulnerability stems from insufficient parameter handling within the application's data processing pipeline, creating an attack surface where user-supplied input directly influences sql query construction without proper escaping or parameterization.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-89 which describes improper neutralization of special elements used in sql commands. The error-based sql injection occurs because the application fails to properly escape or sanitize the dhx_user and dhx_version parameters before incorporating them into sql queries. This weakness enables attackers to craft malicious payloads that can trigger sql errors, which in turn may reveal database structure information or allow for more sophisticated injection attacks. The vulnerability operates at the application layer where user input is directly used in sql query construction, bypassing standard sql injection prevention mechanisms that should be present in properly secured applications.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft, as it can enable complete database compromise and potential system takeover. An attacker exploiting this vulnerability could extract sensitive information including user credentials, personal data, and application configuration details. The error-based nature of the injection means that attackers can use the sql errors as information disclosure vectors to understand database schema structures and potentially escalate their attacks to achieve privilege escalation or lateral movement within the affected environment. This vulnerability particularly affects web applications using the Laravel framework's specific implementation of save.php functionality, making it a targeted threat for applications utilizing this particular version.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2018-6330 should prioritize immediate patching of the affected Laravel version to the latest stable release that addresses this vulnerability. Organizations should implement proper input validation and parameterized queries for all sql operations, ensuring that user-supplied parameters are properly escaped or parameterized before database interaction. The implementation of web application firewalls and input filtering mechanisms can provide additional layers of protection. Security teams should also conduct comprehensive code reviews to identify similar vulnerabilities in other application components and implement proper error handling that prevents sql error messages from being exposed to end users. This vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of following secure coding practices and adhering to the principle of least privilege in database access controls, as outlined in the mitre attack framework's application layer exploitation techniques.