CVE-2018-6576 in Event Manager
Summary
by MITRE
SQL Injection exists in Event Manager 1.0 via the event.php id parameter or the page.php slug parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/16/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-6576 represents a critical SQL injection flaw within Event Manager version 1.0, specifically affecting the event.php and page.php scripts. This vulnerability resides in the web application's parameter handling mechanisms where user-supplied input is not properly sanitized before being incorporated into database queries. The affected parameters id in event.php and slug in page.php serve as primary attack vectors, allowing malicious actors to inject arbitrary SQL commands that can be executed against the underlying database system. The vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and improper query construction practices that fail to separate executable code from data within the application's database interactions.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when an attacker crafts malicious input containing SQL syntax within the targeted parameter values. When the application processes these parameters without proper sanitization or parameterization, the injected SQL code becomes part of the executed database query, potentially enabling unauthorized data access, modification, or deletion. This flaw directly violates security principles outlined in CWE-89 which categorizes SQL injection as a dangerous input validation vulnerability that allows attackers to manipulate database operations. The vulnerability's impact extends beyond simple data theft as it can provide attackers with complete control over the database backend, potentially leading to full system compromise through data exfiltration, privilege escalation, or even database server exploitation.
Operational impact assessment reveals that successful exploitation of CVE-2018-6576 can result in significant business disruption and security breaches for organizations utilizing Event Manager 1.0. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to extract sensitive information including user credentials, personal data, and business-critical information stored within the application's database. The vulnerability also poses risks of data integrity compromise through unauthorized modifications or deletions of database records. Organizations may face regulatory compliance violations and reputational damage when such vulnerabilities are exploited, particularly in industries governed by standards like pci dss or gdpr. The attack surface is particularly concerning as it affects core application functionality, making it difficult for administrators to identify and contain the breach without immediate patching or mitigation measures.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2018-6576 must prioritize immediate remediation through proper application patching and input validation implementation. Organizations should implement parameterized queries or prepared statements to prevent SQL injection attacks, ensuring that user input is properly escaped or validated before database processing. The principle of least privilege should be enforced by limiting database user permissions and implementing proper access controls. Network segmentation and intrusion detection systems can help identify potential exploitation attempts. Additionally, comprehensive application security testing including automated scanning and manual penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities within the application codebase. Security teams should also consider implementing web application firewalls and input validation rules to prevent malicious SQL code from reaching the database layer. Regular security updates and vulnerability management processes should be established to prevent similar issues from emerging in future application versions. The remediation efforts should align with industry best practices such as those outlined in the owasp top ten and mitre att&ck framework for preventing and detecting sql injection attacks.