CVE-2020-21808 in NukeViet
Summary
by MITRE • 07/30/2021
SQL Injection vulnerability in NukeViet CMS 4.0.10 - 4.3.07 via:the topicsid parameter in modules/news/admin/addtotopics.php.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/05/2021
The SQL injection vulnerability identified as CVE-2020-21808 affects the NukeViet Content Management System version 4.0.10 through 4.3.07, specifically within the admin module responsible for managing news topics. This vulnerability exists in the addtotopics.php file where the topicsid parameter is improperly handled, creating a critical security gap that allows attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands. The flaw represents a classic input validation failure where user-supplied data flows directly into database queries without proper sanitization or parameterization, making it susceptible to malicious exploitation by unauthorized parties seeking to compromise the system's integrity.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input filtering mechanisms within the administrative interface of NukeViet CMS. When administrators interact with the news management functionality and manipulate the topicsid parameter through the addtotopics.php endpoint, the application fails to properly validate or escape the input data before incorporating it into SQL query structures. This allows attackers to inject malicious SQL payloads that can manipulate the database, potentially leading to unauthorized data access, modification, or deletion. The vulnerability specifically manifests when the parameter is processed in a context where SQL commands are dynamically constructed, violating fundamental security principles of input validation and output encoding.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data compromise, as it provides attackers with potential access to sensitive administrative functions and user data within the CMS environment. An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability could gain unauthorized access to the database, extract confidential information including user credentials, modify content, or even escalate privileges within the system. The affected version range indicates this vulnerability was present across multiple releases, suggesting a persistent flaw in the application's security architecture that required ongoing attention. This type of vulnerability is particularly dangerous in content management systems where administrative access often translates to broader system control and data manipulation capabilities.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should include immediate patching of the affected NukeViet CMS versions to the latest secure releases that address the input validation issues. System administrators should implement proper parameterized queries and input sanitization mechanisms throughout the application codebase to prevent similar vulnerabilities from occurring. Additionally, network segmentation and access controls should be enforced to limit administrative access to only trusted personnel, while regular security audits should be conducted to identify and remediate potential injection points. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-89 which specifically addresses SQL injection flaws, and represents a clear violation of ATT&CK technique T1071.004 related to application layer protocol manipulation, emphasizing the need for robust input validation and secure coding practices to prevent unauthorized database access and maintain system integrity.