CVE-2023-41262 in Scrutinizer
Summary
by MITRE • 10/25/2023
An issue was discovered in /fcgi/scrut_fcgi.fcgi in Plixer Scrutinizer before 19.3.1. The csvExportReport endpoint action generateCSV is vulnerable to SQL injection through the sorting parameter, allowing an unauthenticated user to execute arbitrary SQL statements in the context of the application's backend database server.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/01/2026
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2023-41262 affects Plixer Scrutinizer versions prior to 19.3.1, specifically within the fcgi/scrut_fcgi.fcgi component. This security flaw exists in the csvExportReport endpoint action's generateCSV functionality, creating a critical pathway for unauthorized database access. The vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and sanitization of user-supplied data within the sorting parameter, which is processed without proper escaping or parameterization techniques. This allows malicious actors to inject arbitrary SQL commands that execute within the context of the application's database server, potentially compromising the entire backend infrastructure.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability follows a classic SQL injection attack pattern where the sorting parameter serves as the injection vector. When an attacker submits malicious input through this parameter, the application fails to properly sanitize the data before incorporating it into SQL query construction. This weakness aligns with CWE-89, which categorizes SQL injection as a fundamental flaw in application security that enables attackers to manipulate database queries. The vulnerability specifically impacts the application's database interaction layer, where user input directly influences query execution without proper security controls. The unauthenticated nature of this exploit means that any external party can potentially leverage this flaw without requiring valid credentials or prior access to the system.
The operational impact of CVE-2023-41262 extends beyond simple data theft, as it provides attackers with complete database access capabilities. Successful exploitation could enable adversaries to extract sensitive information including user credentials, network data, and system configurations. The vulnerability's placement within the csvExportReport functionality suggests that attackers could manipulate report generation processes to access unauthorized data sets, potentially leading to comprehensive data breaches. This type of vulnerability directly maps to ATT&CK technique T1071.004, which covers application layer protocol manipulation, and T1046, covering network service scanning that can lead to privilege escalation through database access. Organizations utilizing affected versions of Plixer Scrutinizer face significant risk of data compromise, system integrity violations, and potential regulatory compliance violations due to the exposure of sensitive network monitoring data.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate patching of Plixer Scrutinizer to version 19.3.1 or later, which addresses the SQL injection flaw through proper input validation and parameterized query construction. Network administrators should implement additional defensive measures including web application firewalls that can detect and block SQL injection attempts, database activity monitoring to identify suspicious query patterns, and regular security assessments of the application's input handling mechanisms. The fix should incorporate proper input sanitization techniques that align with industry standards for preventing SQL injection attacks, including the use of parameterized queries, input length validation, and character set restrictions. Organizations should also consider implementing network segmentation to limit access to the affected application and establish robust monitoring procedures to detect potential exploitation attempts. Regular vulnerability scanning and penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar weaknesses in other components of the network monitoring infrastructure, as this vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of securing all application interfaces that handle user input.