CVE-2020-7759 in Pimcore
Summary
by MITRE • 10/30/2020
The package pimcore/pimcore from 6.7.2 and before 6.8.3 are vulnerable to SQL Injection in data classification functionality in ClassificationstoreController. This can be exploited by sending a specifically-crafted input in the relationIds parameter as demonstrated by the following request: http://vulnerable.pimcore.example/admin/classificationstore/relations?relationIds=[{"keyId"%3a"''","groupId"%3a"'asd'))+or+1%3d1+union+(select+1,2,3,4,5,6,name,8,password,'',11,12,'',14+from+users)+--+"}]
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/30/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2020-7759 affects the pimcore/pimcore content management platform, specifically targeting versions between 6.7.2 and 6.8.2 inclusive. This security flaw exists within the data classification functionality implemented through the ClassificationstoreController component, representing a critical SQL injection vulnerability that can be exploited by remote attackers. The vulnerability manifests when the application processes the relationIds parameter in the classification store relations endpoint, where insufficient input validation allows malicious SQL commands to be executed within the underlying database context. This type of vulnerability falls under the Common Weakness Enumeration category CWE-89, which specifically addresses SQL injection flaws that occur when untrusted data is incorporated into SQL queries without proper sanitization or parameterization.
The exploitation mechanism leverages the improper handling of user-supplied input through the relationIds parameter, which is designed to manage relationships between classification keys and groups. Attackers can craft malicious payloads that inject SQL code directly into the query execution flow, as demonstrated in the exploit example that utilizes a UNION SELECT statement to extract sensitive information from the users table. The payload demonstrates a classic SQL injection attack pattern where the attacker uses the OR condition and UNION operator to bypass authentication checks and extract database contents including usernames and passwords. This vulnerability represents a significant threat to data confidentiality and system integrity, as successful exploitation allows attackers to potentially gain unauthorized access to sensitive user information and database credentials.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft, as it provides attackers with a pathway to escalate privileges and potentially compromise the entire application infrastructure. Database administrators and security teams must consider that this vulnerability could enable attackers to perform data manipulation, deletion, or modification operations, not just read access. The vulnerability affects the classification store functionality which is commonly used in enterprise content management systems for organizing and managing structured data, making it a critical component to secure. Organizations using pimcore versions within the affected range face potential exposure to data breaches, regulatory compliance violations, and reputational damage if this vulnerability is exploited. The attack vector is particularly concerning as it requires no authentication to exploit, making it accessible to anyone who can send requests to the vulnerable endpoint.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2020-7759 should prioritize immediate patching of affected pimcore installations to version 6.8.3 or later, which contains the necessary security fixes. Organizations should implement input validation and parameterized queries throughout their application codebase, particularly in areas handling user-supplied data for database operations. Network segmentation and web application firewalls can provide additional layers of protection by monitoring and filtering malicious requests targeting the vulnerable endpoint. Security teams should conduct comprehensive vulnerability assessments to identify other potential SQL injection vulnerabilities in their applications, as this represents a common attack pattern that may exist elsewhere in the codebase. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under T1190 - Exploit Public-Facing Application, highlighting the importance of proper input sanitization and the need for robust application security controls to prevent such attacks from succeeding. Regular security testing and code reviews should be implemented to identify and remediate similar vulnerabilities before they can be exploited by malicious actors.