CVE-2018-7466 in TestLink
Summary
by MITRE
install/installNewDB.php in TestLink through 1.9.16 allows remote attackers to conduct injection attacks by leveraging control over DB LOGIN NAMES data during installation to provide a long, crafted value.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/20/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-7466 affects TestLink versions 1.9.16 and earlier, specifically targeting the installNewDB.php script during the database installation process. This issue represents a critical security flaw that enables remote attackers to execute injection attacks by manipulating database login name data. The vulnerability occurs when the installation script fails to properly sanitize or validate user-supplied input, particularly the database login names parameter, allowing malicious actors to inject crafted values that can compromise the installation process.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and sanitization within the TestLink installation framework. When attackers provide a long, crafted value in the database login names field, the system does not adequately filter or escape this input before processing it in database connection contexts. This weakness creates an injection vector that can potentially lead to unauthorized database access, data manipulation, or even complete system compromise depending on the execution environment and privileges associated with the database connections. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-94, which describes improper control of generation of code, and CWE-74, which addresses injection flaws during dynamic code generation.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability poses significant risks to organizations deploying TestLink for test management and quality assurance purposes. Attackers can exploit this weakness to gain unauthorized access to database systems during the installation phase, potentially leading to data breaches, system compromise, or disruption of testing operations. The remote nature of the attack means that adversaries do not require physical access to the system, making this vulnerability particularly dangerous in networked environments. The attack can result in unauthorized database connections, execution of malicious SQL commands, and potential privilege escalation depending on the database configuration and access controls in place.
Organizations should immediately update to TestLink version 1.9.17 or later, which contains patches addressing this injection vulnerability. System administrators should also implement network segmentation and access controls to limit exposure during the installation process. The mitigation strategy should include input validation at all levels, particularly during installation phases where user input is processed. Additionally, organizations should consider implementing web application firewalls and monitoring for suspicious installation activities. This vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper input sanitization and validation in all user-facing application components, aligning with ATT&CK technique T1059 for command and scripting interpreter usage and T1068 for exploit for privilege escalation. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to identify similar injection vulnerabilities in other components of the testing infrastructure.