CVE-2021-41648 in online-shopping-system-advanced
Summary
by MITRE • 10/02/2021
An un-authenticated SQL Injection exists in PuneethReddyHC online-shopping-system-advanced through the /action.php prId parameter. Using a post request does not sanitize the user input.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/08/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2021-41648 represents a critical security flaw within the PuneethReddyHC online-shopping-system-advanced web application, specifically manifesting as an unauthenticated SQL injection vulnerability. This weakness resides in the application's handling of user input through the /action.php endpoint where the prId parameter is processed without adequate sanitization measures. The vulnerability allows malicious actors to execute arbitrary SQL commands against the underlying database system, potentially compromising the entire database infrastructure and exposing sensitive user information.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through a POST request method where the prId parameter fails to undergo proper input validation or sanitization processes. This lack of input sanitization creates an environment where attacker-controlled SQL code can be injected and executed within the database context. The vulnerability directly maps to CWE-89 which defines SQL injection as the insertion of malicious SQL fragments into input fields for execution by the database. The unauthenticated nature of this flaw means that any external party can exploit it without requiring prior authorization or credentials, making the attack surface significantly broader and more dangerous.
The operational impact of CVE-2021-41648 extends far beyond simple data theft, as successful exploitation can lead to complete database compromise including unauthorized data modification, deletion, or extraction of sensitive information such as user credentials, personal details, and transaction records. Attackers could leverage this vulnerability to escalate privileges within the database, potentially gaining access to administrative functions or even executing operating system commands if the database server allows such operations. The vulnerability also poses significant risk to the application's integrity and availability, as malicious actors could manipulate product listings, customer data, or payment information through the injected SQL commands.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability must address both the immediate code-level fixes and broader architectural security improvements. The primary remediation involves implementing proper input validation and parameterized queries to ensure that user-supplied data cannot be interpreted as SQL commands. This aligns with ATT&CK technique T1190 which focuses on exploiting vulnerabilities in applications to gain unauthorized access. Organizations should also implement web application firewalls, regularly update and patch the application, and conduct comprehensive security testing including penetration testing and code reviews. Additionally, implementing proper access controls, database activity monitoring, and regular security audits can help detect and prevent exploitation attempts while maintaining compliance with industry standards such as those outlined in the OWASP Top Ten and NIST cybersecurity frameworks.