CVE-2019-15567 in OpenForis Arena
Summary
by MITRE
OpenForis Arena before 2019-05-07 allows SQL injection in the sorting feature.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/04/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2019-15567 affects OpenForis Arena versions prior to 2019-05-07 and represents a critical SQL injection flaw within the application's sorting functionality. This vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and sanitization mechanisms that fail to properly handle user-supplied data when constructing database queries for sorting operations. The affected component specifically processes sorting parameters that are passed to the backend database system, creating an avenue for malicious actors to inject arbitrary SQL commands through carefully crafted input values.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability resides in the application's query construction logic where user-provided sorting criteria are directly incorporated into SQL statements without proper parameterization or escaping mechanisms. This flaw aligns with CWE-89 which categorizes SQL injection vulnerabilities as a result of insufficient sanitization of user-controllable inputs. When users interact with the sorting feature, the application processes parameters such as column names, sort order directions, or other sorting criteria that are then concatenated into SQL query strings. Attackers can exploit this by manipulating these parameters to inject malicious SQL fragments that bypass authentication, extract sensitive data, modify database contents, or even execute system commands depending on the underlying database system's capabilities.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data exposure, as it provides attackers with potentially unrestricted access to the underlying database system. An attacker could leverage this vulnerability to perform unauthorized data access operations including but not limited to reading confidential information, modifying or deleting records, creating new user accounts with elevated privileges, or even escalating their access to system-level commands. The vulnerability affects the integrity, confidentiality, and availability of the application's data repository, potentially compromising the entire data ecosystem managed by OpenForis Arena. This type of vulnerability also aligns with ATT&CK technique T1071.004 which describes application layer protocol manipulation, specifically targeting database communication channels.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2019-15567 require immediate implementation of proper input validation and parameterized query construction throughout the application's sorting functionality. The most effective remediation involves implementing prepared statements or parameterized queries that separate user input from SQL command structures, ensuring that sorting parameters are properly escaped or validated against a predefined whitelist of acceptable values. Organizations should also implement proper access controls and database permissions to limit the impact of potential exploitation. Regular security testing including automated vulnerability scanning and manual penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar issues in other application components. The fix for this vulnerability specifically requires updating OpenForis Arena to version 2019-05-07 or later, which includes proper input sanitization mechanisms and secure query construction practices. Additionally, implementing web application firewalls and database activity monitoring systems can provide additional layers of protection against exploitation attempts.