CVE-2022-45526 in IMS
Summary
by MITRE • 02/08/2023
SQL Injection vulnerability in Future-Depth Institutional Management Website (IMS) 1.0, allows attackers to execute arbitrary commands via the ad parameter to /admin_area/login_transfer.php.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/06/2023
The SQL injection vulnerability identified as CVE-2022-45526 affects the Future-Depth Institutional Management Website version 1.0, representing a critical security flaw that undermines the integrity of the system's authentication mechanisms. This vulnerability resides within the administrative login transfer functionality, specifically in the handling of user-supplied input through the ad parameter. The flaw creates an attack surface where malicious actors can manipulate database queries by injecting malicious SQL code, potentially leading to unauthorized access and system compromise. The vulnerability demonstrates poor input validation practices and inadequate sanitization of user-provided data within the web application's backend processing logic.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through the manipulation of the ad parameter in the /admin_area/login_transfer.php endpoint, where the application fails to properly escape or validate user input before incorporating it into SQL database queries. This allows attackers to inject malicious SQL commands that bypass authentication mechanisms and potentially execute arbitrary database operations. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-89, which categorizes SQL injection as a direct result of insufficient input validation and sanitization of user-supplied data. Attackers can leverage this flaw to extract sensitive information from the database, modify or delete records, and potentially escalate privileges within the administrative interface. The attack vector specifically targets the authentication flow, making it particularly dangerous as it can lead to full system compromise and unauthorized administrative access.
The operational impact of CVE-2022-45526 extends beyond simple data theft, as it provides attackers with a pathway to establish persistent access within the institutional management system. This vulnerability can enable attackers to manipulate institutional data, compromise user credentials, and potentially gain control over critical administrative functions. The implications are particularly severe for institutional websites that handle sensitive educational or administrative data, as the compromise could lead to data breaches, unauthorized modifications, and potential regulatory violations. The vulnerability's presence in the login transfer functionality means that successful exploitation could result in complete administrative control over the system, allowing attackers to modify user accounts, access restricted content, and potentially deploy additional malicious payloads within the network environment.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should prioritize immediate patching of the affected application version, as the most effective solution involves updating to a patched version that properly validates and sanitizes all user input before database processing. Organizations should implement proper input validation measures including parameterized queries, prepared statements, and strict input filtering to prevent SQL injection attacks. The implementation of web application firewalls and intrusion detection systems can provide additional layers of protection, while regular security assessments and code reviews should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities. According to ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability maps to T1190 - Exploit Public-Facing Application, with potential lateral movement opportunities through T1078 - Valid Accounts and T1046 - Network Service Scanning. Security teams should also implement comprehensive monitoring of database access patterns and authentication attempts to detect potential exploitation attempts, while establishing proper access controls and privilege management to limit the impact of successful attacks.