CVE-2020-36631 in dwc_network_server_emulator
Summary
by MITRE • 12/26/2022
A vulnerability was found in barronwaffles dwc_network_server_emulator. It has been declared as critical. This vulnerability affects the function update_profile of the file gamespy/gs_database.py. The manipulation of the argument firstname/lastname leads to sql injection. The attack can be initiated remotely. The name of the patch is f70eb21394f75019886fbc2fb536de36161ba422. It is recommended to apply a patch to fix this issue. The identifier of this vulnerability is VDB-216772.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/24/2023
This critical vulnerability exists within the barronwaffles dwc_network_server_emulator software where a sql injection flaw has been identified in the update_profile function located within gamespy/gs_database.py. The vulnerability specifically manifests when processing user-supplied input through the firstname and lastname parameters, creating a dangerous condition where malicious actors can manipulate database queries through crafted input values. The flaw represents a classic sql injection vulnerability that allows attackers to execute arbitrary sql commands against the underlying database system. This type of vulnerability falls under CWE-89 which categorizes sql injection as a persistent threat that can lead to complete database compromise. The remote exploitation capability makes this vulnerability particularly dangerous as attackers do not need physical access to the system to leverage the flaw.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe as it enables unauthorized access to sensitive user data stored within the database. Attackers can potentially extract confidential information including user credentials, personal details, and other proprietary data that may be stored in the affected database. The vulnerability's designation as critical severity indicates that it can be exploited without requiring authentication or specialized knowledge beyond basic web application attack techniques. This sql injection flaw directly violates the principle of least privilege and can lead to complete system compromise if the database user account has elevated permissions. The attack surface expands significantly when considering that this vulnerability affects networked gaming services where user profiles are frequently updated and maintained.
The patch addressing this vulnerability was implemented through commit f70eb21394f75019886fbc2fb536de36161ba422 which likely introduces proper input sanitization and parameterized query execution to prevent malicious sql code from being executed. Organizations should immediately apply this patch to mitigate the risk of data breaches and unauthorized system access. Security professionals should also implement additional defensive measures such as web application firewalls, input validation routines, and database access monitoring to provide layered protection. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of secure coding practices and proper parameter handling in database interactions. From an att&ck framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to technique T1190 - Proxy Usage and T1071.1003 - Application Layer Protocol: Dns, as attackers may leverage this flaw to establish persistent access and exfiltrate data through the gaming network infrastructure. Regular security assessments and code reviews should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other components of the gaming server ecosystem.