CVE-2020-18544 in WMS
Summary
by MITRE • 07/13/2021
SQL Injection in WMS v1.0 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via the "username" parameter in the component "chkuser.php".
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/15/2021
The vulnerability CVE-2020-18544 represents a critical sql injection flaw in WMS v1.0 software that exposes remote attackers to arbitrary code execution capabilities through the chkuser.php component. This vulnerability specifically targets the username parameter, which serves as the primary attack vector for malicious actors seeking to compromise the system. The flaw resides in the improper input validation and sanitization mechanisms within the web application's authentication process, where user-provided credentials are directly incorporated into database queries without adequate protection measures. The vulnerability classification aligns with CWE-89 which specifically addresses SQL injection weaknesses in software applications where untrusted data is concatenated into SQL commands. This weakness enables attackers to manipulate database queries through malicious input, potentially gaining unauthorized access to sensitive information or executing destructive operations within the database environment.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft, as successful exploitation can lead to complete system compromise and persistent access for attackers. When an attacker submits malicious input through the username parameter, the application fails to properly escape or sanitize the input before incorporating it into SQL queries, creating opportunities for attackers to inject additional SQL commands. This vulnerability falls under the ATT&CK technique T1071.004 which describes application layer protocol manipulation, specifically targeting web application vulnerabilities that allow for command injection. The remote nature of this attack means that adversaries can exploit the vulnerability from any location without requiring physical access to the system, making it particularly dangerous for web-based warehouse management systems that often contain sensitive operational data.
The technical exploitation of CVE-2020-18544 requires minimal prerequisites, as attackers only need to access the chkuser.php component and manipulate the username parameter to inject malicious sql commands. This vulnerability demonstrates poor input validation practices that violate fundamental security principles for web application development, particularly in authentication modules where user inputs should undergo rigorous sanitization. The vulnerability is classified as remote because the attack can be executed through standard web browser interactions without requiring specialized tools or local system access. Security controls such as parameterized queries, input validation, and output encoding that should normally protect against sql injection attacks are either missing or inadequately implemented in the WMS v1.0 application. The impact of successful exploitation includes potential data breaches, unauthorized database access, privilege escalation, and possible lateral movement within network environments where the vulnerable system resides.
Organizations affected by this vulnerability should implement immediate mitigations including input validation and sanitization of all user-provided parameters, deployment of web application firewalls, and implementation of proper parameterized queries to prevent sql injection attacks. The recommended remediation strategy involves patching the application to ensure proper input validation and sanitization mechanisms are in place, particularly within authentication components where user credentials are processed. Security teams should also implement monitoring and logging of authentication attempts to detect potential exploitation attempts. Additional defensive measures include implementing proper access controls, regular security assessments, and ensuring that all web applications follow secure coding practices as outlined in industry standards such as the OWASP Top Ten and NIST cybersecurity frameworks. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical importance of input validation and secure coding practices in preventing sql injection attacks that can lead to complete system compromise.