CVE-2019-20179 in Soplanning
Summary
by MITRE
SOPlanning 1.45 has SQL injection via the user_list.php "by" parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/20/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2019-20179 represents a critical SQL injection flaw within the SOPlanning 1.45 web application, specifically targeting the user_list.php script. This issue arises from insufficient input validation and sanitization of the "by" parameter, which is utilized to filter user listings within the application's interface. The vulnerability allows malicious actors to inject arbitrary SQL commands through this parameter, potentially compromising the underlying database system and exposing sensitive user information.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when an attacker crafts malicious input for the "by" parameter in the user_list.php endpoint. Without proper sanitization or parameterized query construction, the application directly incorporates user-supplied input into SQL query strings, creating an environment where attackers can manipulate database queries to extract, modify, or delete data. This flaw falls under the CWE-89 category of SQL Injection, which is consistently ranked among the top cybersecurity risks by OWASP and NIST. The vulnerability enables attackers to perform unauthorized database operations including but not limited to data exfiltration, privilege escalation, and potential system compromise.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft, as it can lead to complete system compromise and unauthorized access to sensitive user information. Attackers exploiting this vulnerability could access personal user data, authentication credentials, and potentially gain administrative privileges within the application. The severity is amplified by the fact that this vulnerability affects a planning application that likely contains sensitive organizational data, making it a prime target for adversaries seeking to disrupt operations or extract valuable information. This type of vulnerability also enables potential lateral movement within networks where the application resides, as attackers might use the compromised system as a foothold for further attacks.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2019-20179 should prioritize immediate implementation of input validation and parameterized queries to prevent SQL injection attacks. Organizations should implement proper input sanitization techniques and utilize prepared statements or parameterized queries to ensure that user input cannot be interpreted as SQL commands. Additionally, regular security updates and patches should be applied to the SOPlanning application to address this vulnerability. Network segmentation and access controls should be implemented to limit exposure, while monitoring systems should be configured to detect anomalous database query patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. The remediation process should also include comprehensive code review to identify similar vulnerabilities within the application's codebase, following the ATT&CK framework's approach to identifying and addressing database-related attack vectors. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls and database activity monitoring solutions to provide additional layers of protection against such attacks.