CVE-2022-41530 in Open Source SACCO Management System
Summary
by MITRE • 10/12/2022
Open Source SACCO Management System v1.0 was discovered to contain a SQL injection vulnerability via the id parameter at /sacco_shield/ajax.php?action=delete_borrower.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/20/2025
The Open Source SACCO Management System v1.0 presents a critical security flaw classified as SQL injection vulnerability through the id parameter in the ajax.php endpoint. This vulnerability exists within the delete_borrower functionality where user input is directly incorporated into database queries without proper sanitization or parameterization. The attack vector specifically targets the action=delete_borrower parameter in the URL path /sacco_shield/ajax.php, making it accessible to malicious actors who can manipulate the id parameter to execute arbitrary SQL commands against the underlying database. The vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and improper query construction practices that allow attackers to inject malicious SQL code into the system's database layer.
This SQL injection vulnerability falls under CWE-89 which defines improper neutralization of special elements used in an SQL command, and represents a fundamental flaw in the application's data handling procedures. The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe as it provides attackers with the ability to extract, modify, or delete sensitive borrower data from the SACCO management system. Attackers can potentially access confidential financial information of members, manipulate loan records, or even gain unauthorized administrative access to the system. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it operates through an AJAX endpoint which means that successful exploitation could occur silently in the background without immediate detection by system administrators.
The exploitation of this vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1071.004 which involves application layer protocol manipulation and specifically targets web application vulnerabilities. The attack chain typically begins with reconnaissance to identify the vulnerable endpoint, followed by crafting malicious SQL payloads targeting the id parameter. Successful exploitation could result in complete database compromise, data exfiltration, and potential system takeover. Given that SACCO systems manage sensitive financial data of members, the impact extends beyond simple data theft to include financial fraud, identity theft, and regulatory compliance violations.
Mitigation strategies should include immediate implementation of parameterized queries or prepared statements to prevent SQL injection attacks, comprehensive input validation and sanitization of all user-supplied data, and proper output encoding to prevent secondary injection attacks. The system should implement proper access controls and authentication mechanisms to limit the scope of potential exploitation. Regular security auditing and penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities throughout the application codebase. Additionally, implementing web application firewalls and database activity monitoring can provide additional layers of protection against such attacks. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of following secure coding practices and adhering to OWASP Top Ten security guidelines to prevent similar issues in future software development cycles.