CVE-2018-7734 in FileRun
Summary
by MITRE
Afian FileRun (before 2018.02.13) suffers from a remote SQL injection vulnerability, when logged in as superuser, via the search parameter in a /?module=users§ion=cpanel&page=list request.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/11/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-7734 affects Afian FileRun versions prior to 2018.02.13 and represents a critical remote SQL injection flaw that can be exploited by authenticated attackers. This vulnerability specifically targets the administrative interface of the FileRun system, where a superuser session is required to execute the malicious payload. The attack vector occurs through the search parameter within the URL structure ?module=users§ion=cpanel&page=list, which processes user input without proper sanitization or parameterization. This allows an attacker with superuser credentials to inject arbitrary SQL commands into the database query execution flow, potentially gaining unauthorized access to sensitive data or executing malicious operations within the database context. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-89 which specifically addresses SQL injection flaws where untrusted data is incorporated into SQL commands without proper validation or escaping mechanisms.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability requires an attacker to first obtain superuser credentials, as the flaw is only accessible through authenticated sessions with administrative privileges. Once authenticated, the attacker can manipulate the search parameter in the specified URL endpoint to inject malicious SQL syntax that bypasses normal input validation. This type of vulnerability falls under the ATT&CK technique T1071.004 which covers application layer protocol manipulation, specifically targeting web application interfaces. The SQL injection occurs at the application layer where user-supplied search terms are directly concatenated into database queries without proper input sanitization, creating a pathway for data extraction, modification, or deletion operations. The impact extends beyond simple data theft as the vulnerability can potentially allow for privilege escalation or complete system compromise depending on the database permissions granted to the FileRun application account.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe given that FileRun is a document management system that typically handles sensitive organizational data including files, user information, and system configuration details. A successful exploitation could result in unauthorized access to confidential documents, user credential theft, or complete database compromise. The vulnerability affects organizations that rely on FileRun for content management and could lead to regulatory compliance violations, data breaches, and significant financial losses. Security teams must consider that this vulnerability could be leveraged in combination with other attack vectors, particularly if the superuser account is compromised through social engineering or credential theft. The timing of this vulnerability is particularly concerning as it affects versions released before February 2018, indicating that organizations running older versions may have been exposed to this risk for an extended period without proper mitigation. Organizations should implement immediate patching procedures and monitor for any signs of exploitation attempts in their system logs. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of input validation and parameterized queries in web application development, aligning with industry best practices outlined in OWASP Top Ten and NIST cybersecurity guidelines.