CVE-2020-18175 in MetInfo
Summary
by MITRE • 07/30/2021
SQL Injection vulnerability in Metinfo 6.1.3 via a dosafety_emailadd action in basic.php.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/05/2021
The SQL injection vulnerability identified as CVE-2020-18175 affects Metinfo version 6.1.3 and stems from improper input validation within the dosafety_emailadd action of the basic.php file. This flaw represents a critical security weakness that allows attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands through maliciously crafted input parameters. The vulnerability resides in the application's handling of email address submissions within the safety management functionality, where user-supplied data is directly incorporated into SQL query constructions without adequate sanitization or parameterization mechanisms.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when an attacker submits specially crafted email addresses containing SQL payload sequences to the dosafety_emailadd endpoint. The application fails to properly escape or parameterize the input data before incorporating it into database queries, creating an environment where malicious SQL commands can be injected and executed with the privileges of the database user. This type of vulnerability falls under CWE-89 which specifically addresses SQL injection flaws in software applications, and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1071.004 for application layer protocol manipulation.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft, as successful exploitation could enable attackers to extract sensitive information from the database, modify or delete critical records, and potentially escalate privileges within the application environment. Attackers might leverage this vulnerability to access user credentials, personal information, and other confidential data stored within the Metinfo system. The vulnerability affects the integrity and confidentiality of the entire application ecosystem, as database access often provides attackers with extensive control over the underlying system infrastructure. Organizations running Metinfo 6.1.3 are particularly at risk since this vulnerability can be exploited remotely without requiring authentication, making it a high-severity threat.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2020-18175 should prioritize immediate patching of the Metinfo application to the latest available version that addresses this specific vulnerability. Organizations should implement proper input validation and parameterized query construction throughout their codebase to prevent similar issues from occurring in other components. Database access controls should be reviewed and restricted to minimize potential damage from successful exploitation attempts. Additionally, network-based intrusion detection systems should be configured to monitor for suspicious SQL injection patterns and anomalous database access behavior. Regular security assessments and code reviews should be conducted to identify and remediate similar vulnerabilities across all application components, ensuring compliance with security standards such as OWASP Top Ten and NIST cybersecurity frameworks.