CVE-2022-35175 in Barangay Management System
Summary
by MITRE
Barangay Management System v1.0 was discovered to contain a SQL injection vulnerability via the hidden_id parameter at /blotter/blotter.php.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/19/2022
The Barangay Management System version 1.0 presents a critical SQL injection vulnerability that fundamentally compromises the integrity and confidentiality of its underlying database infrastructure. This vulnerability specifically manifests through the hidden_id parameter within the /blotter/blotter.php endpoint, creating an exploitable entry point that allows malicious actors to manipulate database queries through crafted input. The flaw represents a classic example of insufficient input validation and improper query construction that directly violates secure coding principles and industry best practices.
This SQL injection vulnerability operates at the core of database interaction mechanisms where user-supplied parameters are directly concatenated into SQL statements without proper sanitization or parameterization. The hidden_id parameter serves as the primary attack vector, as it likely receives direct input from user interfaces or API endpoints that do not properly validate or escape special characters that could alter the intended SQL command structure. The vulnerability enables attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands, potentially gaining unauthorized access to sensitive citizen data, system configurations, or administrative privileges within the barangay management ecosystem.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft to encompass complete system compromise and potential data destruction. Attackers could leverage this weakness to extract confidential information including citizen personal details, administrative records, and sensitive documentation stored within the system. The vulnerability also permits privilege escalation attacks where malicious actors might elevate their access levels to gain administrative control over the entire barangay management platform. According to the CWE taxonomy, this represents a CWE-89: SQL Injection vulnerability, which falls under the broader category of injection flaws that consistently rank among the top cybersecurity threats identified by the OWASP Top Ten project.
The attack surface for this vulnerability is particularly concerning given that it affects a public-facing web application that likely handles sensitive citizen information and official documentation. The fact that the vulnerability exists in a system designed for government or administrative use underscores the severity of potential consequences, as it could compromise public records, citizen privacy, and governmental operations. Security frameworks such as MITRE ATT&CK categorize this type of vulnerability under the T1071.004 technique for Application Layer Protocol: DNS, though more specifically it aligns with T1213.002 for Data from Information Repositories, representing a critical weakness in data protection mechanisms.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability must include immediate implementation of parameterized queries or prepared statements to ensure that user input cannot alter the structure of SQL commands. The system should undergo comprehensive input validation and sanitization processes that filter out potentially malicious characters and patterns. Additionally, implementing proper access controls and database user privilege management can limit the damage from successful exploitation attempts. Regular security assessments, code reviews, and penetration testing should be conducted to identify and remediate similar vulnerabilities across the entire application stack. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls and database activity monitoring solutions to detect and prevent exploitation attempts in real-time environments.