CVE-2019-20337 in advanced-real-estate-script
Summary
by MITRE
In PHP Scripts Mall advanced-real-estate-script 4.0.9, the news_edit.php news_id parameter is vulnerable to SQL Injection.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/19/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2019-20337 affects the advanced-real-estate-script version 4.0.9 distributed by PHP Scripts Mall, representing a critical security flaw that exposes the application to unauthorized data access and potential system compromise. This issue manifests through the news_edit.php component where the news_id parameter fails to properly validate or sanitize user input before incorporating it into database queries. The weakness creates an avenue for malicious actors to manipulate the application's database interactions through carefully crafted SQL commands, potentially leading to unauthorized data retrieval, modification, or deletion. The vulnerability specifically targets the input handling mechanism of the news management functionality, where administrators or authenticated users may be affected when processing news items within the real estate management platform.
The technical implementation of this SQL injection vulnerability stems from improper input validation practices within the news_edit.php script. When the news_id parameter is passed to the script without adequate sanitization or parameterized query construction, attackers can inject malicious SQL code that gets executed within the database context. This flaw aligns with CWE-89, which categorizes SQL injection vulnerabilities as weaknesses that allow attackers to manipulate database queries through untrusted input. The vulnerability operates by exploiting the application's failure to separate SQL command logic from data input, enabling attackers to bypass authentication mechanisms and gain access to sensitive information stored within the database. The attack vector is particularly concerning as it requires minimal privileges to exploit, potentially allowing attackers to escalate their access within the application's administrative interface.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data exposure, as successful exploitation could enable attackers to manipulate the real estate listings, user accounts, and other critical business data managed by the application. Attackers might extract confidential information including customer details, property listings, administrative credentials, or financial data, potentially leading to significant financial loss and reputational damage. The vulnerability also creates opportunities for persistent attacks where malicious actors could establish backdoors within the application or modify the database schema to maintain unauthorized access. Additionally, the compromise of this application could serve as a stepping stone for attackers to target other systems within the organization's network infrastructure, particularly if the application shares database credentials with other services. The vulnerability's impact is amplified by the fact that it affects a real estate management platform, which typically handles sensitive personal and financial information that is subject to various regulatory compliance requirements.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2019-20337 must address both immediate remediation and long-term security improvements within the application's codebase. The most effective immediate solution involves implementing proper input validation and parameterized queries for all database interactions, specifically ensuring that the news_id parameter in news_edit.php is properly sanitized before processing. Organizations should apply the vendor-provided patch or upgrade to a version that addresses this vulnerability, as PHP Scripts Mall likely released a security update to resolve the SQL injection flaw. Additionally, implementing proper access controls and input filtering mechanisms, including the use of prepared statements and stored procedures, can prevent similar vulnerabilities from occurring in other parts of the application. Security monitoring and intrusion detection systems should be configured to identify suspicious database query patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts. The remediation process should also include comprehensive code review practices to identify and address similar input validation issues throughout the application, aligning with ATT&CK technique T1071.004 for application layer protocol manipulation. Organizations should conduct regular security assessments and penetration testing to ensure that the application maintains robust defenses against SQL injection and other common web application vulnerabilities.