CVE-2023-4098 in QSige
Summary
by MITRE • 10/25/2023
It has been identified that the web application does not correctly filter input parameters, allowing SQL injections, DoS or information disclosure. As a prerequisite, it is necessary to log into the application.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/25/2023
This vulnerability represents a critical security flaw in a web application that permits unauthorized access to sensitive data and system resources through improper input validation mechanisms. The issue manifests as a sql injection vulnerability that occurs when the application fails to properly sanitize user-supplied parameters before processing them in database queries. The vulnerability requires authentication to exploit, which means an attacker must first obtain valid credentials to leverage this weakness, though the authentication requirement does not diminish its severity. The lack of proper input filtering creates multiple attack vectors including sql injection attacks that can lead to unauthorized data access, data manipulation, and potentially complete system compromise. The vulnerability also enables denial of service conditions where malicious input can cause application instability or resource exhaustion, and information disclosure attacks that allow attackers to extract sensitive data from the database. This weakness directly maps to common weakness enumeration 79 which describes cross site scripting vulnerabilities, though in this case it specifically affects sql injection scenarios. The attack pattern aligns with attack technique t1190 which involves exploiting vulnerabilities in web applications to gain unauthorized access to systems. The impact extends beyond simple data theft as the vulnerability can be used to escalate privileges, modify database content, and potentially gain persistence within the affected system. The prerequisite authentication requirement suggests the application may have layered security controls but still contains critical flaws in its input validation mechanisms. This vulnerability type often stems from insecure coding practices where developers fail to implement proper parameterized queries or input sanitization techniques, leaving the application exposed to malicious input manipulation.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is significant as it creates multiple pathways for attackers to compromise the system. Once authenticated, an attacker can leverage the sql injection flaw to extract sensitive information from the database including user credentials, personal data, financial records, and system configurations. The vulnerability also enables denial of service conditions where malformed input can cause database queries to consume excessive resources or crash database connections, leading to service disruption for legitimate users. Information disclosure attacks can reveal database schema information, application logic, and other sensitive metadata that can be used to plan further attacks. The vulnerability may also allow for privilege escalation attacks where an authenticated user can manipulate database queries to gain access to administrative functions or other user accounts. The exploitation of this vulnerability typically requires minimal technical skills and can be automated using existing attack frameworks, making it particularly dangerous for organizations with insufficient security controls. The vulnerability affects the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of the system, creating a triad of security concerns that can severely impact business operations and regulatory compliance. Organizations may face significant financial and reputational damage if this vulnerability is exploited successfully, particularly in industries subject to strict data protection regulations.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability must address both immediate remediation and long-term security improvements. The primary solution involves implementing proper input validation and parameterized queries throughout the application code to prevent sql injection attacks. Organizations should deploy web application firewalls and input sanitization controls to filter malicious input before it reaches database layers. Regular security testing including penetration testing and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to identify similar weaknesses in the application. Code reviews and secure coding training for development teams can help prevent similar issues in future releases. The application should implement proper authentication and authorization controls with strong session management and access controls to limit the impact of compromised credentials. Organizations should also implement monitoring and logging controls to detect suspicious activities and potential exploitation attempts. The security controls should include rate limiting and input length restrictions to prevent denial of service conditions. Regular patch management and security updates should be implemented to address known vulnerabilities. Compliance with industry standards such as owasp top ten and iso 27001 security controls should be maintained to ensure comprehensive protection against these types of vulnerabilities. The implementation of defense in depth strategies including network segmentation and database access controls can further reduce the potential impact of successful exploitation attempts.