CVE-2021-43969 in Quicklert
Summary
by MITRE • 03/10/2022
The login.jsp page of Quicklert for Digium 10.0.0 (1043) is affected by both Blind SQL Injection with Out-of-Band Interaction (DNS) and Blind Time-Based SQL Injections. Exploitation can be used to disclose all data within the database (up to and including the administrative accounts' login IDs and passwords) via the login.jsp uname parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/12/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2021-43969 affects Quicklert for Digium version 10.0.0 (1043) and represents a critical security flaw in the application's authentication mechanism. This vulnerability exists within the login.jsp page which serves as the primary entry point for user authentication. The flaw manifests as a blind sql injection vulnerability that allows attackers to extract database contents without direct feedback, making detection more challenging. The vulnerability specifically targets the uname parameter used for username input during the login process, creating a pathway for unauthorized data access that could compromise the entire system's security posture.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability combines two distinct attack vectors that amplify its effectiveness. The first vector is blind sql injection with out-of-band interaction through dns queries, which allows attackers to exfiltrate data by observing network requests made to external domains. The second vector employs blind time-based sql injection techniques that rely on timing delays in database responses to infer information about the underlying data structure. These combined approaches provide attackers with multiple methods to extract sensitive information from the database, making the exploitation process more reliable and less dependent on specific network conditions or response patterns. The vulnerability falls under the category of CWE-89 SQL Injection as defined by the Common Weakness Enumeration standard, specifically manifesting as a blind injection attack where the attacker cannot directly observe the database responses.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe and potentially catastrophic for organizations relying on Quicklert for Digium. Successful exploitation enables attackers to gain access to all database contents including administrative accounts, which would provide full control over the system. The disclosure of login IDs and passwords creates immediate privilege escalation opportunities that could lead to complete system compromise. This vulnerability affects the confidentiality and integrity of the system's data, potentially exposing sensitive information that could be used for further attacks, data theft, or system manipulation. Organizations may face regulatory compliance violations, financial losses, and reputational damage if this vulnerability is exploited in production environments, particularly in scenarios where the system handles sensitive communications or critical infrastructure data.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2021-43969 should focus on immediate patching and defensive measures to protect against exploitation. Organizations must prioritize applying the vendor-provided security updates and patches for Quicklert for Digium to address the root cause of the vulnerability. Input validation and parameterized queries should be implemented to prevent sql injection attacks, with strict sanitization of all user inputs including the uname parameter. Network monitoring should be enhanced to detect out-of-band dns requests that may indicate exploitation attempts, while also implementing database query logging and access controls to limit potential damage. Security teams should conduct thorough penetration testing to verify that the vulnerability has been properly addressed and establish monitoring procedures to detect similar patterns in other application components. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under T1190 Exploit Public-Facing Application, emphasizing the need for comprehensive application security testing and network monitoring to prevent exploitation of publicly accessible web applications.