CVE-2023-1607 in novel-plus
Summary
by MITRE • 03/23/2023
A vulnerability was found in novel-plus 3.6.2. It has been classified as critical. This affects an unknown part of the file /common/sysFile/list. The manipulation of the argument sort 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-223737 was assigned to this vulnerability.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/21/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2023-1607 represents a critical sql injection flaw within the novel-plus 3.6.2 web application framework. This security weakness resides in the /common/sysFile/list component where improper input validation allows malicious actors to manipulate the sort argument parameter. The vulnerability classification as critical indicates the potential for severe impact including unauthorized data access, data corruption, and complete system compromise. The flaw specifically targets the application's handling of user-supplied sort parameters without adequate sanitization or parameterization, creating an exploitable entry point for attackers to execute arbitrary sql commands against the underlying database.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability demonstrates a classic sql injection attack vector where the sort parameter serves as the primary attack surface. When users provide sort arguments to the systemFile/list endpoint, the application fails to properly escape or parameterize these inputs before incorporating them into sql queries. This allows attackers to inject malicious sql fragments that can manipulate database operations, potentially extracting sensitive information, modifying database records, or even executing administrative commands. The vulnerability's remote exploitability means that attackers can leverage this flaw from external networks without requiring local system access or authentication credentials.
The operational impact of CVE-2023-1607 extends beyond simple data theft to encompass complete system compromise and business disruption. Organizations utilizing novel-plus 3.6.2 are at risk of unauthorized data access, data loss, and potential regulatory compliance violations due to the exposure of sensitive information. The public disclosure of exploit code referenced in VDB-223737 significantly increases the attack surface as threat actors can readily implement this vulnerability without requiring advanced technical skills. This makes the vulnerability particularly dangerous for organizations that have not yet implemented mitigation measures, as the window for exploitation is immediate and widespread.
Security mitigations for this vulnerability should prioritize immediate patching of the novel-plus framework to version 3.6.3 or later where the sql injection flaw has been addressed. Organizations must implement proper input validation and parameterization techniques for all user-supplied parameters, particularly those used in database query construction. The implementation of web application firewalls and sql injection detection mechanisms can provide additional layers of protection. According to CWE standards, this vulnerability maps to CWE-89 sql injection, while ATT&CK framework references this as T1190 exploit public-facing application, highlighting the need for comprehensive application security testing and regular vulnerability assessments to identify similar weaknesses in other system components.