CVE-2023-41623 in Emlog
Summary
by MITRE • 12/12/2023
Emlog version pro2.1.14 was discovered to contain a SQL injection vulnerability via the uid parameter at /admin/media.php.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/02/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2023-41623 affects Emlog Pro version 2.1.14 and represents a critical SQL injection flaw that resides within the administrative media management component of the blogging platform. This issue manifests through improper input validation of the uid parameter in the /admin/media.php file, creating an avenue for malicious actors to execute unauthorized database operations. The vulnerability falls under CWE-89 which specifically addresses SQL injection weaknesses where untrusted data is incorporated into SQL queries without adequate sanitization or parameterization. Attackers can exploit this flaw to manipulate database queries and potentially gain unauthorized access to sensitive information stored within the Emlog system.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when an attacker submits a crafted uid parameter value that contains malicious SQL code. The vulnerable application fails to properly sanitize or escape user-supplied input before incorporating it into database queries executed through the media.php administrative interface. This allows threat actors to inject arbitrary SQL commands that can be executed with the privileges of the database user account used by Emlog. The attack vector is particularly concerning as it targets the administrative interface, potentially enabling attackers to escalate privileges, extract confidential data, modify content, or even compromise the entire blogging platform. The flaw demonstrates a classic lack of input validation and output encoding practices that are fundamental to preventing SQL injection attacks.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft, as it can enable full system compromise of affected Emlog installations. Successful exploitation could result in unauthorized access to user accounts, content manipulation, data exfiltration, and potential persistence mechanisms within the compromised system. Attackers may leverage this vulnerability to establish backdoors, modify website content, or gain access to administrative credentials stored within the database. The exposure of the uid parameter in the administrative media.php endpoint creates a direct pathway for attackers to manipulate the underlying database structure and potentially escalate their privileges within the system. This vulnerability directly aligns with ATT&CK technique T1071.004 which covers application layer protocol manipulation, and T1046 which addresses network service enumeration.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2023-41623 should prioritize immediate patching of affected Emlog Pro installations to version 2.1.15 or later where the SQL injection vulnerability has been addressed through proper input validation and parameterized query implementation. Organizations should implement web application firewall rules to monitor and block suspicious SQL injection patterns targeting the specific uid parameter in the media.php endpoint. Additionally, database access should be restricted to the minimum required privileges for the Emlog application, and all administrative interfaces should be protected through multi-factor authentication and secure session management. Regular security assessments should include vulnerability scanning of web applications to identify similar input validation weaknesses, and developers should follow secure coding practices including parameterized queries, input sanitization, and output encoding to prevent recurrence of such vulnerabilities in future implementations.