CVE-2020-11537 in Document Server
Summary
by MITRE
A SQL Injection issue was discovered in ONLYOFFICE Document Server 5.5.0. An attacker can execute arbitrary SQL queries via injection to DocID parameter of Websocket API.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/27/2024
The vulnerability CVE-2020-11537 represents a critical SQL injection flaw in ONLYOFFICE Document Server version 5.5.0 that exposes the system to remote code execution through improper input validation. This vulnerability specifically affects the WebSocket API interface where the DocID parameter is susceptible to malicious input manipulation. The flaw allows an unauthenticated attacker to inject arbitrary SQL commands directly into the database query execution flow, potentially leading to complete system compromise and data exfiltration.
This vulnerability maps directly to CWE-89 which defines SQL injection as the insertion of malicious SQL code into input fields for execution by the database. The attack vector leverages the WebSocket API endpoint where the DocID parameter is processed without adequate sanitization or parameterized query implementation. The lack of input validation creates a pathway for attackers to manipulate database queries and potentially escalate privileges within the system. The vulnerability exists due to insufficient data sanitization practices in the application's backend processing logic, where user-supplied parameters are directly concatenated into SQL statements rather than being properly escaped or parameterized.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe and multifaceted, affecting organizations that rely on ONLYOFFICE Document Server for collaborative document management. An attacker exploiting this vulnerability could gain unauthorized access to sensitive documents, user credentials, and system metadata stored in the database. The vulnerability enables data theft, system integrity compromise, and potential lateral movement within the network infrastructure. Organizations using this software without proper patching or network segmentation face significant risk of data breaches and compliance violations, particularly in environments handling confidential information such as financial records, personal data, or intellectual property.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2020-11537 should prioritize immediate patching of the ONLYOFFICE Document Server to version 5.5.1 or later where the vulnerability has been addressed. Network segmentation should be implemented to restrict access to the WebSocket API endpoints, limiting exposure to trusted internal networks only. Input validation controls must be enforced at all application interfaces, implementing proper parameterized queries and stored procedures to prevent SQL injection attacks. Organizations should also deploy web application firewalls and intrusion detection systems to monitor for suspicious API activity patterns. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of following secure coding practices and adhering to OWASP Top Ten security guidelines, particularly focusing on input validation and output encoding. Additionally, regular security assessments and penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other applications and services within the organization's attack surface.