CVE-2021-37823 in OpenCart
Summary
by MITRE • 11/03/2022
OpenCart 3.0.3.7 allows users to obtain database information or read server files through SQL injection in the background.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/04/2022
OpenCart version 3.0.3.7 contains a critical SQL injection vulnerability that exposes sensitive database information and enables unauthorized file reading capabilities through the administrative backend interface. This vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and sanitization within the application's database query execution mechanisms, allowing malicious actors to inject arbitrary SQL commands through user-controllable parameters. The flaw specifically affects the administrative panel where users can interact with database operations, creating an attack surface that permits both data exfiltration and file system traversal. The vulnerability operates under CWE-89 which classifies it as a classic SQL injection weakness, where insufficient validation of user inputs leads to execution of unintended database commands. This weakness directly enables attackers to bypass authentication mechanisms and gain access to sensitive information including user credentials, customer data, and system configuration details stored within the database. The operational impact extends beyond simple data theft as the vulnerability can be exploited to read arbitrary server files, potentially including configuration files, application source code, and other sensitive system artifacts. This capability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1213.002 which describes data from information repositories and T1078.004 which covers valid accounts for privilege escalation. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to establish persistent access to the system by reading configuration files that may contain database connection strings, encryption keys, and other critical system parameters. The vulnerability affects the database layer directly, allowing for complex injection attacks that can manipulate database schemas, extract large volumes of data, or even execute system commands if the underlying database permits such operations. The flaw represents a significant risk to organizations using OpenCart as it provides a direct path to database compromise and potential system compromise through file reading capabilities. The attack vector requires minimal privileges as it targets the administrative backend where legitimate users already possess elevated access rights, making the exploitation particularly dangerous. Organizations should immediately implement patch management procedures to address this vulnerability and consider implementing database query parameterization techniques to prevent similar issues in future development cycles. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper input validation and the principle of least privilege in web application security, where administrative interfaces should never trust user inputs without proper sanitization and validation mechanisms. Security monitoring should be enhanced to detect unusual database query patterns that may indicate SQL injection attempts, and access controls should be reviewed to ensure that administrative functions are properly restricted and monitored. Additionally, organizations should conduct comprehensive security assessments of their web applications to identify similar injection vulnerabilities that may exist in other components of their infrastructure.