CVE-2020-35242 in Flamingo
Summary
by MITRE • 12/27/2020
Flamingo (aka FlamingoIM) through 2020-09-29 has a SQL injection vulnerability in UserManager::updateUserTeamInfoInDbAndMemory.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/07/2026
The Flamingo instant messaging platform, also known as FlamingoIM, contains a critical sql injection vulnerability affecting versions through 2020-09-29. This vulnerability resides within the UserManager::updateUserTeamInfoInDbAndMemory function which handles user team information updates in both database and memory structures. The flaw represents a classic input validation failure where user-supplied data is directly incorporated into sql query construction without proper sanitization or parameterization mechanisms.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when an attacker can manipulate the parameters used in the updateUserTeamInfoInDbAndMemory function to inject malicious sql code into the database layer. This injection allows for unauthorized access to sensitive user information, potential data manipulation, and in severe cases complete database compromise. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-89 which specifically addresses sql injection flaws, and maps to attack techniques described in the mitre att&ck framework under T1071.004 for application layer protocol manipulation.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft as it can enable attackers to escalate privileges within the messaging platform, modify user permissions, and potentially establish persistent access points through database backdoors. Given that FlamingoIM serves as an instant messaging solution, the compromised system could provide attackers with access to real-time communications, user credentials, and sensitive organizational information. The memory component of the vulnerability adds complexity as attackers could manipulate both persistent database records and volatile in-memory structures simultaneously.
Organizations utilizing FlamingoIM should implement immediate mitigations including input validation and parameterized query implementations for all database interactions. The recommended approach involves upgrading to patched versions if available, implementing proper sql injection prevention measures such as prepared statements, and conducting thorough code reviews to identify similar patterns throughout the application. Network segmentation and monitoring solutions should be deployed to detect anomalous database access patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. Additionally, regular security assessments and penetration testing should be conducted to verify the effectiveness of implemented controls and identify potential additional vulnerabilities in the messaging platform infrastructure.