CVE-2020-20583 in LJCMS
Summary
by MITRE • 07/09/2021
A SQL injection vulnerability in /question.php of LJCMS Version v4.3.R60321 allows attackers to obtain sensitive database information.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/11/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2020-20583 represents a critical SQL injection flaw within the LJCMS content management system version v4.3.R60321. This vulnerability specifically targets the /question.php script which serves as a frontend interface for handling user questions or inquiries within the CMS. The flaw arises from inadequate input validation and sanitization mechanisms that fail to properly escape or filter user-supplied data before incorporating it into database queries. Attackers can exploit this vulnerability by crafting malicious SQL payloads through the question submission interface, potentially gaining unauthorized access to sensitive database information including user credentials, personal data, and system configuration details.
The technical exploitation of this SQL injection vulnerability follows standard attack patterns that align with CWE-89, which specifically addresses improper neutralization of special elements used in SQL commands. The vulnerability exists because the application directly concatenates user input into SQL query strings without proper parameterization or input sanitization. When an attacker submits crafted malicious input through the question.php endpoint, the application processes this data without adequate validation, allowing the attacker to manipulate the underlying database queries. This can result in unauthorized data retrieval, data modification, or even complete database compromise depending on the attacker's privileges and the database configuration. The vulnerability operates at the application layer and requires minimal privileges to exploit, making it particularly dangerous for web applications that handle sensitive information.
The operational impact of CVE-2020-20583 extends beyond simple data theft, as it can enable attackers to escalate their privileges within the CMS environment. Successful exploitation could allow adversaries to extract user authentication credentials, personal information, and potentially gain access to administrative functions within the CMS. This vulnerability directly impacts the confidentiality and integrity of the system, as it allows unauthorized data access and could facilitate further attacks such as privilege escalation or lateral movement within the network. The attack surface is relatively narrow but critical, as it specifically targets the question submission functionality which may be accessible to unauthenticated users, making the vulnerability particularly attractive to threat actors. Organizations using this CMS version face significant risk of data breaches and potential system compromise, especially if the database contains sensitive user information or system configuration data.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2020-20583 should prioritize immediate patching of the affected LJCMS version to the latest available release that addresses this vulnerability. Organizations should implement proper input validation and parameterized queries throughout the application codebase to prevent similar issues from occurring in other components. The principle of least privilege should be enforced by ensuring that database accounts used by the CMS have minimal required permissions and that access controls are properly configured. Additionally, implementing web application firewalls and intrusion detection systems can help identify and block malicious SQL injection attempts. Security monitoring should include regular vulnerability scanning and penetration testing to identify other potential SQL injection vulnerabilities within the application. Organizations should also consider implementing database activity monitoring to detect unauthorized access attempts and maintain comprehensive backup and recovery procedures to ensure business continuity in case of successful exploitation. These measures align with the ATT&CK framework's defense-in-depth strategy and help organizations achieve compliance with industry standards such as iso 27001 and nist cybersecurity framework.