CVE-2023-36677 in SP Project & Document Manager Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 11/04/2023
Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an SQL Command ('SQL Injection') vulnerability in Smartypants SP Project & Document Manager allows SQL Injection.This issue affects SP Project & Document Manager: from n/a through 4.67.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/05/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2023-36677 represents a critical SQL injection flaw within the Smartypants SP Project & Document Manager software suite. This weakness manifests as an improper neutralization of special elements within SQL commands, creating an avenue for malicious actors to execute unauthorized database operations. The vulnerability exists in versions ranging from the initial release through 4.67, indicating a prolonged exposure window that could have allowed extensive exploitation. The software's failure to properly sanitize user inputs before incorporating them into SQL queries creates a direct pathway for attackers to manipulate database structures and access sensitive information.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from the application's insufficient input validation mechanisms within its database interaction layers. When user-supplied data enters the system through various interfaces such as search functions, parameter passing, or form submissions, the software fails to adequately escape or encode special SQL characters and keywords. This allows attackers to inject malicious SQL fragments that get executed within the database context, potentially leading to unauthorized data access, data modification, or even complete database compromise. The vulnerability maps directly to CWE-89 which specifically addresses SQL injection weaknesses in software applications.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft, as it provides attackers with potential access to the underlying database infrastructure and its stored information. Depending on the database configuration and the privileges assigned to the application's database user, exploitation could result in unauthorized access to project documentation, user credentials, system configurations, or other sensitive business data. The broad version range affected suggests that organizations using this document management system may have been exposed to this risk for an extended period, potentially allowing for persistent threats and data exfiltration activities. This vulnerability could enable attackers to escalate privileges within the database, modify or delete critical project information, and potentially gain access to additional system resources.
Organizations utilizing Smartypants SP Project & Document Manager should immediately implement mitigations including upgrading to the latest available version that addresses this vulnerability. Additionally, implementing proper input validation and output encoding mechanisms within the application code can help prevent similar issues in the future. Database administrators should review and restrict database user privileges, ensuring that applications only have access to the minimum required database operations. Network-level protections such as web application firewalls and intrusion detection systems can provide additional layers of defense against exploitation attempts. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper input sanitization and adheres to ATT&CK technique T1190 which covers exploitation of vulnerabilities in web applications. Regular security assessments and penetration testing should be conducted to identify and remediate similar weaknesses in the application's codebase.