CVE-2021-44593 in Simple College Website
Summary
by MITRE • 01/21/2022
Simple College Website 1.0 is vulnerable to unauthenticated file upload & remote code execution via UNION-based SQL injection in the username parameter on /admin/login.php.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/27/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2021-44593 affects Simple College Website version 1.0 and represents a critical security flaw that combines multiple attack vectors to enable unauthorized system compromise. This vulnerability exists within the administrative login functionality of the web application, specifically targeting the username parameter in the /admin/login.php endpoint. The flaw stems from inadequate input validation and sanitization practices that allow attackers to manipulate the application's database query structure through SQL injection techniques.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability leverages UNION-based SQL injection methodology where an attacker can manipulate the username parameter to inject malicious SQL code. This injection occurs during the authentication process when the application constructs database queries without proper parameterization or input filtering. The vulnerability classification aligns with CWE-89 which defines improper neutralization of special elements used in an SQL command, making it susceptible to manipulation by malicious actors seeking to execute arbitrary database operations. The attack vector specifically targets the authentication mechanism rather than directly uploading files, but the combination of SQL injection with file upload capabilities creates a particularly dangerous scenario for system compromise.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe as it enables unauthenticated remote code execution without requiring valid credentials or administrative privileges. An attacker can exploit this flaw to gain complete control over the web application's backend functionality, potentially leading to full system compromise, data exfiltration, and persistent access to the target environment. The vulnerability's presence in the administrative login page means that successful exploitation could provide attackers with access to sensitive educational data, user credentials, and potentially allow for privilege escalation within the application's administrative functions. This type of vulnerability directly maps to ATT&CK technique T1190 which describes the use of SQL injection to gain access to databases and execute commands on affected systems.
The exploitation process typically begins with crafting a malicious SQL payload that leverages the UNION operator to manipulate the database query structure. The attacker would construct a username parameter that injects SQL code designed to either extract database schema information or directly execute system commands. When the application processes this manipulated input through the vulnerable login endpoint, it executes the injected SQL commands against the underlying database. The vulnerability's location in the administrative interface makes it particularly attractive to attackers seeking to establish persistent access to educational institution resources, potentially compromising student records, faculty information, and institutional data integrity.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2021-44593 require immediate implementation of proper input validation and parameterized queries throughout the application's codebase. The most effective remediation involves implementing proper SQL query parameterization to prevent any user input from being interpreted as executable SQL code. Additionally, implementing strict input validation on all parameters including the username field would prevent malicious payloads from being processed. The application should also enforce authentication controls and implement proper access controls to prevent unauthorized access to administrative functions. Network-level protections such as web application firewalls and intrusion detection systems can provide additional layers of defense against exploitation attempts. Regular security assessments and code reviews should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other parts of the application, as this type of SQL injection vulnerability often indicates broader security weaknesses that require comprehensive remediation across the entire codebase. The vulnerability highlights the critical importance of following secure coding practices and adhering to industry standards such as those defined in the OWASP Top Ten and NIST cybersecurity guidelines to prevent similar issues from occurring in future development cycles.