CVE-2022-3973 in HMS-PHP
Summary
by MITRE • 11/13/2022
A vulnerability classified as critical has been found in Pingkon HMS-PHP. Affected is an unknown function of the file /admin/admin.php of the component Data Pump Metadata. The manipulation of the argument uname/pass leads to sql injection. It is possible to launch the attack remotely. The exploit has been disclosed to the public and may be used. The identifier of this vulnerability is VDB-213552.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/17/2022
This critical sql injection vulnerability exists in Pingkon HMS-PHP software within the Data Pump Metadata component, specifically in the /admin/admin.php file. The flaw occurs when processing user authentication arguments uname and pass, where improper input validation allows malicious actors to inject sql commands directly into the database layer. The vulnerability's classification as critical indicates severe impact potential, as it enables unauthorized access to sensitive data and system compromise. Remote exploitation is possible, meaning attackers can leverage this weakness without requiring physical access to the target system, making it particularly dangerous in networked environments.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate parameter sanitization in the authentication handling routine. When user credentials are submitted through the uname and pass parameters, the application fails to properly escape or validate these inputs before incorporating them into sql queries. This allows attackers to manipulate the sql execution flow by injecting malicious sql syntax that can bypass authentication mechanisms, extract confidential information, or even modify database contents. The vulnerability's presence in the administrative interface amplifies its potential impact, as successful exploitation could grant attackers full administrative privileges over the affected system.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents significant risks to organizations utilizing Pingkon HMS-PHP software, particularly those handling sensitive data or requiring robust security controls. The public disclosure of the exploit means that threat actors can readily leverage this weakness without requiring advanced technical skills to develop custom attack vectors. Successful exploitation could result in data breaches, system compromise, unauthorized data modification, and potential lateral movement within affected networks. The remote attack capability eliminates the need for physical presence or insider access, making the system vulnerable to widespread exploitation across various network environments.
Security mitigations for this vulnerability should prioritize immediate patching of the affected software version, as this represents the most effective remediation approach. Organizations should implement proper input validation and parameterized queries to prevent similar issues in future development cycles. Network segmentation and access controls should be strengthened to limit potential attack surfaces, while monitoring systems should be configured to detect anomalous authentication patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. Additionally, implementing web application firewalls and regular security assessments can help identify and remediate similar vulnerabilities before they can be exploited by malicious actors. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-89 sql injection weakness and corresponds to attack techniques listed in the ATT&CK framework under credential access and persistence phases, highlighting the comprehensive threat landscape this vulnerability creates for affected organizations.