CVE-2019-7164 in Communications Operations Monitor
Summary
by MITRE
SQLAlchemy through 1.2.17 and 1.3.x through 1.3.0b2 allows SQL Injection via the order_by parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/17/2024
SQLAlchemy versions prior to 1.2.18 and 1.3.0b3 contain a critical SQL injection vulnerability in the order_by parameter handling mechanism. This vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and sanitization when processing user-supplied data for sorting operations within database queries. The flaw occurs because the library directly incorporates user-provided order_by parameters into SQL query construction without adequate escaping or parameterization, creating an avenue for malicious actors to inject arbitrary SQL code. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-89 as SQL injection, specifically manifesting in the query building phase where sorting parameters are processed. Attackers can exploit this by crafting malicious order_by values that, when processed by SQLAlchemy, result in unintended SQL execution. The impact extends across all database backends supported by SQLAlchemy, making it particularly dangerous in environments where multiple database systems are in use. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1073 by leveraging application-level query construction to achieve unauthorized database access. The flaw is particularly concerning because sorting operations are commonly used in web applications and are often controlled by user input, making this attack vector highly accessible. When exploited, the vulnerability can lead to complete database compromise, data exfiltration, privilege escalation, and potential lateral movement within the network. The vulnerability affects both the 1.2.x and 1.3.x release lines, indicating a widespread issue that impacted a significant portion of SQLAlchemy users. The attack requires minimal sophistication and can be executed through standard web application interfaces where sorting functionality is implemented. Organizations using SQLAlchemy in production environments should immediately implement mitigations including input validation, parameterized queries, and application firewalls. The fix implemented in subsequent releases involves enhanced input sanitization and stricter validation of order_by parameters to prevent arbitrary SQL code injection. This vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of secure query construction practices and highlights the need for comprehensive input validation at all levels of application development. The flaw represents a classic example of how seemingly benign functionality can become a security risk when proper sanitization measures are not implemented. Modern security frameworks and compliance standards such as OWASP Top 10 and NIST guidelines emphasize the necessity of preventing SQL injection through proper parameterization and input validation. The vulnerability's exploitation can result in significant business impact including data breaches, regulatory penalties, and loss of customer trust. Organizations should conduct thorough security assessments of their SQLAlchemy implementations to identify and remediate similar vulnerabilities in other query building components. The incident underscores the importance of keeping third-party libraries updated and maintaining robust security monitoring to detect potential exploitation attempts. This vulnerability serves as a reminder that database interaction libraries must implement comprehensive security measures to prevent injection attacks that could compromise entire database systems. The remediation process involves not only updating to patched versions but also reviewing application code for potential similar issues in other query building functions. Security teams should implement automated scanning tools to identify vulnerable applications and ensure proper patch management procedures are in place for all third-party dependencies.