CVE-2020-20296 in CMSWing
Summary
by MITRE • 02/02/2021
An issue was found in CMSWing project version 1.3.8, Because the rechargeAction function does not check the balance parameter, malicious parameters can execute arbitrary SQL commands.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/22/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2020-20296 resides within the CMSWing content management system version 1.3.8, representing a critical SQL injection flaw that stems from insufficient input validation in the rechargeAction function. This weakness creates a pathway for attackers to manipulate database operations through crafted balance parameters, effectively bypassing normal security controls. The issue manifests when user-supplied data enters the system without proper sanitization or validation, allowing malicious actors to inject SQL commands that execute with the privileges of the affected application.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability follows a classic SQL injection pattern where the rechargeAction function fails to implement proper parameter validation or sanitization mechanisms. When the balance parameter is processed, the system directly incorporates it into SQL query construction without adequate escaping or parameter binding. This design flaw aligns with CWE-89, which catalogs SQL injection vulnerabilities as a fundamental weakness in software systems. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability by crafting malicious balance values that contain SQL payload sequences, potentially enabling them to extract sensitive data, modify database records, or even execute administrative commands on the underlying database system.
The operational impact of CVE-2020-20296 extends beyond simple data manipulation, as it represents a significant threat to system integrity and data confidentiality. Successful exploitation could result in unauthorized access to user accounts, financial transaction records, and other sensitive information stored within the CMSWing application. The vulnerability's presence in a content management system amplifies its risk potential since such platforms often handle extensive user data and may be integrated with financial transaction processing components. This scenario creates opportunities for attackers to escalate privileges and potentially compromise the entire web application infrastructure, as highlighted by ATT&CK technique T1071.004 for application layer protocol manipulation and T1190 for exploit for client execution.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability must address both immediate remediation and long-term architectural improvements. The primary fix involves implementing proper input validation and parameterized queries within the rechargeAction function to prevent direct parameter insertion into SQL statements. Security measures should include input sanitization routines that filter or escape special characters commonly used in SQL injection attacks, alongside proper parameter binding mechanisms that separate SQL code from data. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls and database activity monitoring systems to detect and prevent exploitation attempts. Additionally, regular security audits and code reviews should be conducted to identify similar patterns across the application codebase, ensuring that all database interaction points follow secure coding practices as recommended by OWASP Top Ten and NIST cybersecurity guidelines. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of validating all user inputs and implementing defense-in-depth strategies that protect against various attack vectors while maintaining system functionality and user experience.