CVE-2022-30461 in water-billing-management-system
Summary
by MITRE • 05/24/2022
Water-billing-management-system v1.0 is vulnerable to SQL Injection via /wbms/classes/Master.php?f=delete_client, id
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/29/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2022-30461 affects the Water-billing-management-system version 1.0, specifically targeting the client deletion functionality within the Master.php class. This represents a critical security flaw that allows attackers to manipulate database queries through improper input validation mechanisms. The vulnerability manifests when the system processes the delete_client function parameter, where user-supplied identifiers are directly incorporated into SQL queries without adequate sanitization or parameterization. The affected endpoint /wbms/classes/Master.php?f=delete_client accepts an id parameter that, when manipulated, can execute arbitrary SQL commands against the underlying database infrastructure.
This SQL injection vulnerability falls under CWE-89 which classifies improper neutralization of special elements used in SQL commands as a fundamental weakness in application security. The flaw enables attackers to perform unauthorized database operations including data extraction, modification, or deletion of client records within the water billing system. The attack surface is particularly concerning given that the system manages billing information for water services, potentially exposing sensitive customer data including personal identifiers, account details, and billing history. The vulnerability exists due to the absence of proper input validation and parameterized query execution, allowing malicious actors to inject SQL payload directly into the database command structure.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data compromise, as it can facilitate complete system infiltration and data manipulation. Attackers could leverage this weakness to escalate privileges, create backdoor accounts, or even execute administrative commands on the database server. The water billing system likely contains sensitive information such as customer addresses, usage patterns, and payment details that could be exploited for identity theft, financial fraud, or corporate espionage. From an adversarial perspective, this vulnerability aligns with attack techniques documented in the ATT&CK framework under T1071.004 for application layer protocol manipulation and T1213.002 for data from information repositories. The system's lack of proper input sanitization creates a persistent threat vector that remains active until remediated, potentially allowing attackers to maintain long-term access to the database.
Mitigation strategies should prioritize immediate implementation of parameterized queries and input validation mechanisms throughout the application codebase. The fix must ensure all user-supplied parameters are properly escaped or parameterized before database insertion, eliminating the possibility of SQL command injection. Additionally, implementing proper access controls and database privilege management can limit the damage from successful exploitation attempts. Organizations should conduct comprehensive code reviews to identify similar vulnerabilities across the entire application stack, as this represents a pattern of insecure database interaction that may exist elsewhere in the system. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be implemented to detect and remediate similar weaknesses. The system administrators should also consider implementing web application firewalls and database activity monitoring to detect and prevent exploitation attempts. Furthermore, the application should be updated to enforce proper authentication and authorization checks to ensure that only legitimate users can access administrative functions like client deletion, thereby reducing the attack surface and preventing unauthorized manipulation of the billing database.