CVE-2019-5117 in YouPHPTube
Summary
by MITRE
Exploitable SQL injection vulnerabilities exists in the authenticated portion of YouPHPTube 7.6. Specially crafted web requests can cause SQL injections. An attacker can send a web request with parameters containing SQL injection attacks to trigger this vulnerability, potentially allowing exfiltration of the database, user credentials and in certain configuration, access the underlying operating system.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/29/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2019-5117 represents a critical SQL injection flaw within the authenticated sections of YouPHPTube version 7.6, a popular open source video management system. This vulnerability resides in the application's handling of user input within authenticated pathways, where malicious actors can exploit improperly sanitized parameters to inject malicious SQL commands. The flaw allows attackers to manipulate database queries through crafted web requests that bypass normal input validation mechanisms, potentially compromising the entire database infrastructure. According to CWE-89, this vulnerability falls under the category of SQL injection, which is one of the most prevalent and dangerous web application security flaws that has been consistently ranked among the top ten OWASP risks for over a decade.
The technical exploitation of CVE-2019-5117 requires an attacker to first establish authenticated access to the YouPHPTube application, typically through valid user credentials, as the vulnerability is confined to authenticated portions of the system. Once authenticated, the attacker can craft malicious HTTP requests containing specially formatted SQL injection payloads that target vulnerable parameters within the application's database interaction functions. These payloads can manipulate the underlying database queries to extract sensitive information, modify data, or in some configurations, execute arbitrary commands on the underlying operating system. The vulnerability's impact is amplified by the fact that it operates within the authenticated context, meaning that an attacker who can obtain valid user credentials can leverage this flaw to escalate their privileges and access sensitive data. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under T1071.004 for application layer protocol manipulation and T1046 for network service discovery, as attackers would typically need to identify and exploit specific service endpoints to successfully execute the SQL injection attacks.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data exfiltration, as successful exploitation can lead to complete system compromise and unauthorized access to sensitive user information. Database administrators and security teams face significant risks when such vulnerabilities exist in production environments, as they can result in unauthorized access to user credentials, personal information, and potentially system-level access. The vulnerability's exploitation can lead to data breaches that may affect thousands of users, particularly in environments where YouPHPTube is used for content management and user authentication. Organizations running this version of YouPHPTube are particularly vulnerable to credential theft, data manipulation, and potential lateral movement within their network infrastructure. The attack surface is further expanded when considering that many users may not regularly update their applications, leaving them exposed to known vulnerabilities for extended periods. Security professionals should note that this vulnerability represents a clear indicator of poor input validation practices and inadequate security testing in the application's development lifecycle, highlighting the critical importance of implementing proper parameterized queries and input sanitization measures.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2019-5117 primarily involve immediate patching of the YouPHPTube application to version 7.7 or later, which includes fixes for the identified SQL injection vulnerabilities. Organizations should also implement robust input validation and output encoding mechanisms to prevent similar vulnerabilities from occurring in other parts of their applications. Network segmentation and access controls should be enforced to limit the potential impact of authenticated attacks, while regular security assessments and penetration testing can help identify similar vulnerabilities in other systems. Additionally, implementing web application firewalls and database activity monitoring solutions can provide additional layers of protection and early detection capabilities for SQL injection attempts. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical importance of maintaining up-to-date software, implementing secure coding practices, and conducting regular security audits to prevent exploitation of known vulnerabilities that can lead to significant operational and compliance risks.