CVE-2019-18890 in Redmine
Summary
by MITRE
A SQL injection vulnerability in Redmine through 3.2.9 and 3.3.x before 3.3.10 allows Redmine users to access protected information via a crafted object query.
Be aware that VulDB is the high quality source for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/26/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2019-18890 represents a critical SQL injection flaw affecting Redmine versions up to 3.2.9 and 3.3.x before 3.3.10. This vulnerability resides within the application's handling of object queries and allows authenticated Redmine users to execute arbitrary SQL commands against the underlying database. The flaw stems from insufficient input validation and improper parameterization of database queries when processing user-supplied data through object-based interfaces. Attackers can exploit this weakness by crafting malicious object queries that bypass normal security controls, potentially gaining unauthorized access to sensitive information stored within the Redmine database. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it affects authenticated users, meaning that an attacker must first obtain valid credentials, but once achieved, can leverage this flaw to escalate their privileges and access confidential project data, user information, and system configurations.
The technical implementation of this SQL injection vulnerability aligns with CWE-89, which categorizes improper neutralization of special elements used in SQL commands as a fundamental weakness in application security. The flaw occurs when user-provided object identifiers or query parameters are directly incorporated into SQL statements without proper sanitization or parameter binding mechanisms. This allows attackers to manipulate the intended query structure by injecting malicious SQL fragments that can alter the execution flow of database operations. The vulnerability affects Redmine's core functionality for managing objects and queries, where the application processes user input through object-oriented interfaces that translate into database operations. When these interfaces fail to properly validate or escape input parameters, they create opportunities for attackers to inject malicious SQL code that executes with the privileges of the Redmine application's database user.
The operational impact of CVE-2019-18890 extends beyond simple data theft, as it can enable attackers to perform destructive operations including data modification, deletion, or unauthorized access to sensitive project information. In enterprise environments where Redmine serves as a central project management platform, this vulnerability can compromise the integrity of development workflows, expose confidential business information, and potentially facilitate further attacks within the network infrastructure. The vulnerability affects not only the confidentiality of stored data but also the availability and integrity of the Redmine application itself, as attackers could potentially execute commands that modify database structures or delete critical project information. Organizations using Redmine in production environments face significant risk if this vulnerability remains unpatched, as it can serve as a stepping stone for more sophisticated attacks targeting other systems within the same network domain.
Organizations should immediately apply the official patches released by Redmine for versions 3.2.9 and 3.3.10 to address this vulnerability. The mitigation strategy involves upgrading to patched versions that implement proper input validation and parameterized query execution for all object-based database operations. Security teams should also consider implementing additional monitoring and logging of database activities to detect potential exploitation attempts. Network segmentation and least privilege access controls can help limit the potential impact if an attacker successfully exploits this vulnerability. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under the T1071.004 technique for application layer protocol usage, specifically targeting web application vulnerabilities. Organizations should also conduct comprehensive security assessments of their Redmine installations to identify any other potential injection vulnerabilities and ensure proper input validation mechanisms are in place across all database interaction points.