CVE-2023-40215 in Demon Image Annotation Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 11/04/2023
Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an SQL Command ('SQL Injection') vulnerability in Demonisblack demon image annotation allows SQL Injection.This issue affects demon image annotation: from n/a through 5.1.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/05/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2023-40215 represents a critical SQL injection flaw within the Demonisblack demon image annotation software system. This weakness stems from inadequate input validation and sanitization mechanisms that fail to properly neutralize special elements within SQL commands. The vulnerability specifically impacts versions ranging from n/a through 5.1 of the image annotation platform, indicating a broad scope of affected systems that could potentially include various deployment scenarios from development environments to production servers.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs when user-supplied input containing malicious SQL code is directly incorporated into database queries without proper sanitization or parameterization. This flaw allows attackers to manipulate the underlying database structure by injecting SQL commands through the image annotation interface, potentially gaining unauthorized access to sensitive data, modifying database contents, or executing arbitrary commands on the database server. The improper neutralization of special elements such as single quotes, semicolons, or comment markers enables attackers to bypass normal input validation controls and alter the intended execution flow of database queries.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data compromise, as it creates opportunities for attackers to escalate privileges and potentially achieve full system compromise. Attackers could exploit this weakness to extract confidential information including user credentials, personal data, or proprietary image annotation metadata. The vulnerability's presence in the image annotation functionality suggests that any user with access to the platform could potentially leverage this flaw, making it particularly dangerous in multi-user environments where different privilege levels exist. Additionally, the impact could include data integrity violations, system availability disruption, and potential compliance violations depending on the nature of the annotated data.
Security mitigation strategies should focus on implementing proper input validation and parameterized query construction throughout the application codebase. The recommended approach involves adopting prepared statements or parameterized queries to separate SQL code from user input, thereby eliminating the possibility of SQL injection through malicious input manipulation. Input sanitization measures including character encoding, whitelist validation, and proper escaping of special characters should be implemented at all entry points where user data is processed. System administrators should also consider implementing web application firewalls and database activity monitoring to detect and prevent exploitation attempts. According to CWE standards, this vulnerability maps to CWE-89 which specifically addresses SQL injection flaws, while the ATT&CK framework would categorize this under the technique of "Querying Data" within the data manipulation phase of an attack lifecycle. Regular security assessments and code reviews should be conducted to identify and remediate similar vulnerabilities across the entire software stack, ensuring comprehensive protection against SQL injection threats.