CVE-2023-40771 in DataEase
Summary
by MITRE • 09/01/2023
SQL injection vulnerability in DataEase v.1.18.9 allows a remote attacker to obtain sensitive information via a crafted string outside of the blacklist function.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/26/2025
The SQL injection vulnerability identified as CVE-2023-40771 affects DataEase version 1.18.9 and represents a critical security flaw that enables remote attackers to extract sensitive information from the underlying database system. This vulnerability specifically manifests when the application processes user input through a crafted string that bypasses the existing blacklist function, which is designed to prevent malicious SQL code execution. The flaw resides in the application's input validation mechanisms, where the blacklist filtering approach proves insufficient against sophisticated attack vectors that can circumvent these protective measures. The vulnerability demonstrates a classic weakness in the application's security architecture where reliance on blacklist-based filtering creates a false sense of security, as attackers can employ various obfuscation techniques to evade detection.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from improper input sanitization within the DataEase application's database interaction layer. When users submit data that gets processed by the application's backend, the system fails to adequately validate or escape special characters that could be interpreted as SQL commands. The blacklist function, while intended to block known malicious patterns, contains gaps that allow attackers to craft input strings using encoding techniques, comment obfuscation, or alternative SQL syntax that successfully bypasses the filtering mechanisms. This represents a CWE-89 weakness, specifically classified as improper neutralization of special elements used in an SQL command, which is a fundamental flaw in database security design. The vulnerability operates at the application level where user-supplied input directly influences SQL query construction without proper parameterization or input validation.
The operational impact of CVE-2023-40771 extends beyond simple data theft, as successful exploitation could enable attackers to access sensitive user information, system configurations, and potentially escalate privileges within the database environment. Remote attackers can leverage this vulnerability to perform unauthorized data access, data manipulation, and in severe cases, complete database compromise. The attack vector requires minimal privileges and can be executed through standard web browser interactions, making it particularly dangerous for organizations that rely on DataEase for business-critical applications. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1071.005 for application layer protocol usage and T1046 for network service scanning, as attackers typically begin by identifying vulnerable endpoints before executing the SQL injection payload. The exposure affects organizations that have not implemented proper input validation or have outdated security measures in place.
Organizations utilizing DataEase version 1.18.9 should immediately implement multiple layers of mitigation strategies to address this vulnerability. The primary recommendation involves upgrading to a patched version of DataEase that properly addresses the input validation flaw and implements robust parameterized queries instead of relying on blacklist filtering mechanisms. Additionally, implementing proper input validation using allowlist approaches, where only known safe characters and patterns are accepted, can significantly reduce the attack surface. Network segmentation and web application firewalls should be deployed to monitor and filter suspicious database access patterns. Database access controls must be reviewed and restricted to minimize potential damage from successful exploitation attempts. The mitigation approach should follow security frameworks such as OWASP Top 10 and NIST guidelines for preventing SQL injection vulnerabilities, emphasizing the importance of defense in depth strategies that combine multiple security controls rather than relying on single protective measures. Regular security assessments and penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar weaknesses in other application components that may present analogous vulnerabilities.