CVE-2019-19986 in Visual Access Manager
Summary
by MITRE
An issue was discovered in Selesta Visual Access Manager (VAM) 4.15.0 through 4.29. An attacker without authentication is able to execute arbitrary SQL SELECT statements by injecting the HTTP (POST or GET) parameter persoid into /tools/VamPersonPhoto.php. The SQL Injection type is Error-based (this means that relies on error messages thrown by the database server to obtain information about the structure of the database).
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/27/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2019-19986 represents a critical security flaw in Selesta Visual Access Manager version 4.15.0 through 4.29, where an unauthenticated attacker can execute arbitrary SQL SELECT statements through direct parameter injection. This vulnerability specifically targets the /tools/VamPersonPhoto.php endpoint and exploits the persoid HTTP parameter that accepts both POST and GET requests, creating a significant attack surface for malicious actors. The flaw constitutes a classic error-based SQL injection vulnerability that leverages database error messages to extract information about the underlying database structure, making it particularly dangerous for attackers seeking to map database schemas and extract sensitive data.
This vulnerability falls under the CWE-89 category of SQL Injection, specifically manifesting as an error-based injection technique that relies on database server error responses to gather intelligence about the database schema and structure. The attack vector is particularly concerning because it requires no authentication credentials, meaning any external party can exploit this weakness without prior access to the system. The error-based approach allows attackers to systematically probe the database by observing error messages that reveal table names, column structures, and other database metadata, effectively providing a roadmap for more sophisticated attacks. The vulnerability's impact extends beyond simple data extraction as it enables attackers to potentially escalate privileges, access sensitive user information, and gain deeper insights into the system's architecture.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is substantial for organizations using Selesta Visual Access Manager, as it creates a persistent security risk that can be exploited by threat actors without requiring any authorization. Attackers can leverage this flaw to extract personal information of individuals stored in the database, potentially including sensitive personal data, authentication credentials, or other confidential information that the system manages. The error-based nature of the injection means that even if the attacker cannot directly retrieve data through the injection, they can still gather enough information to plan more targeted attacks against the system. This vulnerability directly violates fundamental security principles and can lead to data breaches, privacy violations, and potential compliance failures for organizations that fail to address this issue promptly.
Organizations affected by this vulnerability should implement immediate mitigations including input validation and parameterized queries to prevent SQL injection attacks. The recommended approach involves sanitizing all user inputs, particularly the persoid parameter in the VamPersonPhoto.php script, and implementing proper database access controls to limit the privileges of database accounts used by the application. Additionally, organizations should consider implementing web application firewalls to detect and block malicious SQL injection attempts, as well as conducting comprehensive security testing to identify similar vulnerabilities in other components of the Visual Access Manager system. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under T1190 - Exploit Public-Facing Application, and T1071.004 - Application Layer Protocol: DNS, highlighting the need for both application-level and network-level defenses to protect against such attacks. Regular security updates and vulnerability assessments should be prioritized to prevent similar issues from emerging in other parts of the system and to maintain overall security posture against evolving threat landscapes.