CVE-2020-20340 in S-CMS
Summary
by MITRE • 09/02/2021
A SQL injection vulnerability in the 4.edu.php\conn\function.php component of S-CMS v1.0 allows attackers to access sensitive database information.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/04/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2020-20340 represents a critical SQL injection flaw located within the 4.edu.php component of a web application. This vulnerability stems from improper input validation and sanitization practices where user-supplied data is directly incorporated into SQL query construction without adequate escaping or parameterization mechanisms. The affected application appears to process educational data or user information through this specific php file, making it a prime target for malicious actors seeking unauthorized database access. The flaw exists at the application layer where client-side inputs are not properly validated before being executed as part of database queries, creating an avenue for attackers to manipulate the underlying database structure and potentially extract sensitive information.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability follows standard SQL injection attack patterns where malicious input can alter the intended execution flow of database queries. Attackers can craft specially formatted inputs that, when processed by 4.edu.php, result in unintended SQL command execution. This could enable unauthorized data retrieval, modification, or deletion of database records. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-89 which specifically addresses SQL injection weaknesses in software applications. The attack surface is particularly concerning as it likely affects database operations related to educational institutions, potentially exposing student records, academic data, or administrative information. The lack of proper input sanitization means that attackers can inject malicious SQL payloads that bypass authentication mechanisms or directly manipulate database contents through the vulnerable endpoint.
Operationally, the impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft to encompass complete database compromise and potential system-wide infiltration. An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability could gain access to sensitive educational data including personal information, grades, enrollment records, or administrative credentials. The exposure of such data could lead to identity theft, academic fraud, or unauthorized access to institutional systems. This vulnerability also represents a significant risk to regulatory compliance, particularly under data protection frameworks such as gdpr orFERPA, where unauthorized access to educational records could result in substantial legal and financial penalties. The attack vector is relatively straightforward, requiring only that an attacker interact with the vulnerable 4.edu.php endpoint, making it an attractive target for automated exploitation tools and increasing the potential for widespread compromise across multiple installations.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability must address both immediate remediation and long-term architectural improvements to prevent similar issues. The primary fix involves implementing proper parameterized queries or prepared statements throughout the application codebase, ensuring that all user inputs are properly escaped or parameterized before database execution. Input validation should be enforced at multiple layers including client-side and server-side validation with strict sanitization routines. The application should also implement proper error handling that does not expose database structure information to end users. Security monitoring and intrusion detection systems should be configured to detect unusual database access patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. Additionally, regular security assessments including automated vulnerability scanning and manual penetration testing should be conducted to identify and remediate similar vulnerabilities across the entire application stack. This vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of following secure coding practices and adheres to ATT&CK technique T1071.005 for application layer protocol traffic, where attackers leverage web application vulnerabilities to establish persistent access to backend systems through database manipulation.