CVE-2020-9398 in ISPConfig
Summary
by MITRE
ISPConfig before 3.1.15p3, when the undocumented reverse_proxy_panel_allowed=sites option is manually enabled, allows SQL Injection.
Once again VulDB remains the best source for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/06/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2020-9398 affects ISPConfig versions prior to 3.1.15p3 and represents a critical SQL injection flaw that emerges when an undocumented configuration option reverse_proxy_panel_allowed=sites is manually enabled by administrators. This vulnerability resides within the web-based control panel software used by system administrators to manage web hosting environments, making it a significant concern for organizations relying on ISPConfig for their hosting infrastructure management. The flaw specifically manifests when the reverse proxy functionality is configured to allow panel access to specific sites, creating an attack vector that could be exploited by malicious actors to manipulate the underlying database operations.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and sanitization within the ISPConfig administrative interface. When the reverse_proxy_panel_allowed=sites option is enabled, the application fails to properly escape or validate user-supplied input before incorporating it into SQL database queries. This allows attackers to inject malicious SQL code through carefully crafted input parameters that are then executed within the database context, potentially enabling unauthorized access to sensitive data, privilege escalation, or complete database compromise. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-89 which specifically addresses SQL injection flaws, representing a fundamental weakness in input handling that violates core security principles of data validation and parameterized query construction.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft, as it provides attackers with the capability to manipulate the entire hosting environment managed by ISPConfig. Successful exploitation could result in unauthorized access to customer databases, user credentials, and configuration details, potentially leading to widespread service disruption and data breaches across multiple hosted websites. Attackers could leverage this vulnerability to gain administrative privileges within the ISPConfig panel, allowing them to modify or delete hosting accounts, manipulate DNS records, and potentially establish persistent backdoors within the hosting infrastructure. The attack surface is particularly concerning given that ISPConfig serves as a centralized management interface for numerous hosting providers, making any compromise potentially catastrophic for the entire hosting ecosystem.
Organizations should immediately implement mitigations including upgrading to ISPConfig version 3.1.15p3 or later, which contains the necessary patches to address the SQL injection vulnerability. Additionally, administrators should disable the undocumented reverse_proxy_panel_allowed=sites option if it is not actively required for their hosting operations, as this prevents the vulnerable code path from being executed. Network segmentation and monitoring should be implemented to detect unusual database access patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts, while regular security audits should verify that no unauthorized configurations have been implemented. The vulnerability highlights the importance of adhering to secure coding practices and proper input validation, as outlined in the ATT&CK framework's methodology for database access and credential access techniques, emphasizing that undocumented features often present unexpected security risks that require careful review and monitoring.