CVE-2023-1358 in Gadget Works Online Ordering System
Summary
by MITRE • 03/12/2023
A vulnerability, which was classified as critical, was found in SourceCodester Gadget Works Online Ordering System 1.0. This affects an unknown part of the file /philosophy/admin/login.php of the component POST Parameter Handler. The manipulation of the argument user_email leads to sql injection. It is possible to initiate the attack remotely. The exploit has been disclosed to the public and may be used. The identifier VDB-222861 was assigned to this vulnerability.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/04/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2023-1358 represents a critical sql injection flaw within the SourceCodester Gadget Works Online Ordering System version 1.0. This security weakness resides in the administrative login component, specifically within the POST parameter handler located in the /philosophy/admin/login.php file. The vulnerability manifests when the user_email parameter is manipulated, creating an exploitable condition that allows attackers to execute malicious sql commands against the underlying database. The flaw's classification as critical indicates the potential for severe impact including complete database compromise, unauthorized data access, and possible system takeover. This vulnerability is particularly concerning as it operates through the web interface, making remote exploitation feasible without requiring physical access to the system infrastructure.
The technical implementation of this sql injection vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and sanitization within the application's authentication mechanism. When the user_email parameter is submitted through the POST request to the login.php endpoint, the application fails to properly escape or validate the input before incorporating it into sql queries. This allows an attacker to inject malicious sql payloads that can manipulate the database structure, extract sensitive information, or even execute administrative commands on the database server. The vulnerability follows the common sql injection attack pattern where user-controllable input directly influences sql query construction, violating fundamental security principles of input validation and parameterized queries. According to the CWE taxonomy, this corresponds to CWE-89: Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an SQL Command, which is one of the most prevalent and dangerous web application vulnerabilities.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft, potentially enabling complete system compromise and unauthorized access to sensitive customer information. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to extract user credentials, personal information, order histories, and other confidential data stored within the system's database. The remote exploit capability means that threat actors can target the system from anywhere on the internet without requiring local network access or physical presence. This vulnerability can be exploited by malicious actors to perform data exfiltration, inject backdoors, modify system configurations, or establish persistent access to the compromised environment. The disclosure of the exploit and assignment of VDB-222861 identifier indicates that this vulnerability has already been weaponized by threat actors, increasing the urgency for immediate remediation. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to T1190: Exploit Public-Facing Application and T1071.004: Application Layer Protocol: DNS, as attackers can leverage the exposed web interface to conduct their operations.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2023-1358 must include immediate implementation of proper input validation and parameterized queries throughout the application codebase. The most effective remediation involves replacing direct sql query construction with prepared statements or parameterized queries that separate user input from sql command structure. Additionally, implementing proper input sanitization, output encoding, and least privilege database access controls can significantly reduce the attack surface. Organizations should also deploy web application firewalls to detect and block sql injection attempts, implement comprehensive logging and monitoring for suspicious database activity, and conduct regular security assessments to identify similar vulnerabilities. The system should be updated to the latest version of the Gadget Works Online Ordering System or patched with the vendor-provided security fixes. Network segmentation and access controls should be implemented to limit the potential impact if other system components are compromised, while regular security training for developers can help prevent similar issues in future application development cycles.