CVE-2020-22122 in Find a Place LJCMS
Summary
by MITRE • 08/19/2021
A SQL injection vulnerability in /oa.php?c=Staff&a=read of Find a Place LJCMS v 1.3 allows attackers to access sensitive database information via a crafted POST request.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/21/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2020-22122 represents a critical SQL injection flaw within the Find a Place LJCMS version 1.3 content management system. This vulnerability specifically affects the /oa.php?c=Staff&a=read endpoint which processes staff-related data requests. The flaw stems from inadequate input validation and sanitization mechanisms that fail to properly escape or parameterize user-supplied data before incorporating it into database queries. Attackers can exploit this weakness by crafting malicious POST requests that manipulate the Staff read functionality to execute arbitrary SQL commands against the underlying database system.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability falls under CWE-89 which categorizes SQL injection as a common weakness in web applications where user input is directly concatenated into SQL query strings without proper sanitization. The attack vector specifically targets the Staff module's read functionality where the application likely processes parameters such as staff IDs or department identifiers through the POST request payload. When these parameters are not properly validated or escaped, malicious input can alter the intended database query structure, potentially allowing attackers to extract sensitive information including user credentials, personal data, or administrative privileges.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data exfiltration to encompass potential system compromise and unauthorized access to critical organizational information. Attackers who successfully exploit this vulnerability can retrieve confidential database contents including but not limited to employee records, personal identification numbers, login credentials, and potentially administrative user accounts. The vulnerability also creates opportunities for privilege escalation attacks where attackers might attempt to elevate their access level within the system. Additionally, the exposure of sensitive database information could lead to downstream security incidents including identity theft, unauthorized financial transactions, or further lateral movement within the network infrastructure.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2020-22122 should prioritize immediate implementation of proper input validation and parameterized query mechanisms throughout the Find a Place LJCMS application. Organizations should deploy web application firewalls and input sanitization filters to detect and block malicious SQL injection attempts before they reach the database layer. The most effective remediation involves implementing prepared statements or parameterized queries that separate SQL command structure from user data, ensuring that all input is treated as literal values rather than executable code. Security patches should be applied immediately to upgrade to a patched version of LJCMS that addresses this vulnerability, while network segmentation and access controls should be implemented to limit potential damage from successful exploitation attempts. Regular security testing including automated vulnerability scanning and manual penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar weaknesses in the application's codebase and prevent future incidents that align with the ATT&CK framework's T1190 technique for exploiting vulnerabilities in web applications.