CVE-2020-24770 in NexusPHP
Summary
by MITRE • 03/30/2022
SQL injection vulnerability in modrules.php in NexusPHP 1.5 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via the id parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/01/2022
The SQL injection vulnerability identified as CVE-2020-24770 affects NexusPHP version 1.5 and specifically targets the modrules.php script within the application's codebase. This vulnerability represents a critical security flaw that enables remote attackers to manipulate the underlying database through improper input validation mechanisms. The vulnerability manifests when the application fails to adequately sanitize user-supplied input passed through the id parameter, creating an exploitable condition that allows malicious actors to inject arbitrary SQL commands into the database query execution process.
The technical flaw stems from insufficient input validation and parameter sanitization within the modrules.php file where the id parameter is directly incorporated into SQL queries without proper escaping or parameterization. This primitive form of input handling creates a direct pathway for attackers to manipulate the SQL execution flow by injecting malicious SQL syntax through the vulnerable parameter. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-89 which specifically addresses SQL injection flaws, and represents a classic example of insecure database query construction where user-controllable data is concatenated directly into SQL statements rather than being properly parameterized or escaped.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft, as it provides attackers with potentially full database access capabilities including read, write, and delete operations. Remote attackers can leverage this vulnerability to extract sensitive information such as user credentials, personal data, and system configurations from the database. The attack vector is particularly concerning as it requires no authentication or privileged access, making it accessible to anyone who can interact with the vulnerable application. This vulnerability also provides a potential foothold for further attacks within the network infrastructure, as database credentials and system information could be used to escalate privileges or conduct additional exploitation activities.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2020-24770 should focus on immediate code-level remediation through proper input validation and parameterized query implementation. The recommended approach involves implementing prepared statements or parameterized queries for all database interactions, ensuring that user-supplied input is properly escaped or sanitized before being incorporated into SQL commands. Organizations should also implement comprehensive input validation mechanisms that reject or filter out potentially malicious input patterns, including SQL keywords and special characters that could be used in injection attacks. Additionally, the vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1190 which describes exploitation of remote services, making it essential for security teams to monitor for unusual database query patterns and implement proper database access controls. Regular security audits and code reviews should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities throughout the application codebase, while implementing web application firewalls and database activity monitoring solutions can provide additional layers of protection against exploitation attempts.