CVE-2023-3307 in miniCal
Summary
by MITRE • 06/18/2023
A vulnerability was found in miniCal 1.0.0. It has been rated as critical. This issue affects some unknown processing of the file /booking/show_bookings/. The manipulation of the argument search_query leads to sql injection. The attack may be initiated remotely. The exploit has been disclosed to the public and may be used. The associated identifier of this vulnerability is VDB-231803. NOTE: The vendor was contacted early about this disclosure but did not respond in any way.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/14/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2023-3307 represents a critical sql injection flaw in miniCal version 1.0.0, specifically within the /booking/show_bookings/ endpoint. This vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and sanitization of the search_query parameter, which allows malicious actors to inject arbitrary sql commands into the application's database layer. The issue manifests when the application processes user-supplied search terms without proper escaping or parameterization, creating a direct pathway for database manipulation through the web interface. The vulnerability's classification as critical reflects the severe potential for unauthorized data access, data modification, and complete database compromise that can result from successful exploitation.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through remote attack vectors, enabling attackers to craft malicious search_query parameters that bypass normal input validation mechanisms. When the application processes these malformed inputs, the sql injection occurs at the database level where the application's sql queries are constructed dynamically without proper parameterization or input sanitization. This flaw aligns with CWE-89, which categorizes sql injection vulnerabilities as a direct result of insufficient input validation and improper query construction. The vulnerability's public disclosure through VDB-231803 indicates that exploitation techniques are readily available to threat actors, significantly increasing the risk profile and potential for widespread compromise across affected systems.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft to encompass complete system compromise and potential lateral movement within affected networks. Successful exploitation could enable attackers to extract sensitive information including user credentials, personal data, and business-critical records stored in the miniCal application's database. The vulnerability's remote exploitability means that attackers do not require physical access to the system, making it particularly dangerous for web-facing applications. From an attack framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to multiple ATT&CK techniques including T1190 for exploitation of remote services, T1071.004 for application layer protocol usage, and T1005 for data from local system storage. The lack of vendor response to early disclosure attempts compounds the risk, leaving affected organizations without official patches or mitigation guidance during the active exploitation period.
Organizations utilizing miniCal 1.0.0 must implement immediate defensive measures including input validation, parameterized query construction, and web application firewall rules to block suspicious search_query patterns. The recommended mitigation strategy involves implementing proper input sanitization at multiple layers, including application-level parameterization of all database queries and deployment of network-based intrusion detection systems to monitor for exploitation attempts. Additionally, organizations should conduct comprehensive security assessments of all web applications to identify similar vulnerabilities in input handling and database interaction patterns. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical importance of secure coding practices and the necessity of maintaining current security patches, as the absence of vendor response leaves organizations vulnerable to continued exploitation without official remediation options.