CVE-2021-37538 in SmartBlog
Summary
by MITRE • 08/24/2021
Multiple SQL injection vulnerabilities in SmartDataSoft SmartBlog for PrestaShop before 4.06 allow a remote unauthenticated attacker to execute arbitrary SQL commands via the day, month, or year parameter to the controllers/front/archive.php archive controller, or the id_category parameter to the controllers/front/category.php category controller.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/26/2021
The CVE-2021-37538 vulnerability represents a critical security flaw in the SmartDataSoft SmartBlog module for PrestaShop, affecting versions prior to 4.06. This vulnerability manifests as multiple SQL injection weaknesses that can be exploited by remote attackers without requiring authentication credentials. The flaw specifically targets two distinct controller endpoints within the module's architecture, creating pathways for malicious actors to execute arbitrary SQL commands against the underlying database system. The vulnerability's impact is particularly severe given that it affects a widely used e-commerce platform component, potentially compromising sensitive customer data and business operations.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and sanitization within the SmartBlog module's archive and category controllers. When the day, month, or year parameters are passed to the controllers/front/archive.php endpoint, or when the id_category parameter is submitted to controllers/front/category.php, the application fails to properly sanitize these inputs before incorporating them into SQL query constructions. This lack of proper parameterization creates direct injection points where attacker-controlled data can be interpreted as part of the SQL command rather than as literal values. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-89, which specifically addresses SQL injection flaws in software applications, and represents a classic example of insecure database query construction.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft, as it provides attackers with the capability to manipulate database contents, extract sensitive information, and potentially establish persistent access to the affected system. An attacker could leverage this vulnerability to retrieve customer information, order histories, product catalogs, and other confidential business data stored within the PrestaShop database. The unauthenticated nature of the attack means that any user with access to the web application can exploit these flaws without needing valid credentials, significantly increasing the attack surface and potential damage. This vulnerability directly maps to several ATT&CK techniques including T1190 for exploitation of remote services and T1071.004 for application layer protocol usage, making it particularly dangerous in modern threat landscapes where automated scanning tools can quickly identify and exploit such weaknesses.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2021-37538 should prioritize immediate patching of the SmartBlog module to version 4.06 or later, which contains the necessary security fixes. Organizations should also implement input validation measures at the web application firewall level to detect and block suspicious SQL injection patterns targeting the affected endpoints. Additionally, database access controls should be reviewed to ensure that the application's database user accounts have minimal required privileges, limiting potential damage from successful exploitation attempts. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to identify similar issues within the broader PrestaShop ecosystem and other third-party modules that may be susceptible to similar injection vulnerabilities.