CVE-2023-44377 in Online Art Gallery
Summary
by MITRE • 10/27/2023
Online Art Gallery v1.0 is vulnerable to multiple Unauthenticated SQL Injection vulnerabilities. The 'add3' parameter of the header.php resource does not validate the characters received and they are sent unfiltered to the database.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/27/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2023-44377 affects Online Art Gallery version 1.0 and represents a critical security flaw that exposes the application to unauthenticated sql injection attacks. This vulnerability specifically targets the add3 parameter within the header.php resource, where input validation mechanisms are completely absent or insufficient. The absence of proper input sanitization creates a direct pathway for malicious actors to inject arbitrary sql commands into the database layer without requiring authentication credentials. This type of vulnerability falls under the category of cwe-89 sql injection as defined by the common weakness enumeration framework, which categorizes it as a serious weakness that can lead to complete database compromise.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from the application's failure to properly validate and sanitize user input before processing it within sql queries. When the add3 parameter is submitted through the header.php resource, the application accepts the input directly and incorporates it into database queries without any filtering or escaping mechanisms. This primitive approach to input handling allows attackers to manipulate the sql execution flow by injecting malicious sql syntax that can alter the intended query behavior. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it operates at the database interaction layer, where attackers can potentially extract sensitive information, modify database contents, or even execute administrative commands on the underlying database system.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft and encompasses a comprehensive range of potential security breaches that can severely compromise the integrity and availability of the art gallery's digital infrastructure. An unauthenticated attacker can exploit this vulnerability to access confidential user data, including personal information, login credentials, and potentially financial records stored within the database. The attack surface is further expanded as the vulnerability affects the header.php resource, which is likely a shared component across multiple pages, potentially allowing attackers to gain access to various sections of the application. This vulnerability directly aligns with the attack technique described in the mitre att&ck framework under initial access and credential access phases, where adversaries seek to obtain unauthorized access to systems through exploitation of weak input validation mechanisms.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2023-44377 must address both the immediate vulnerability and implement comprehensive input validation controls to prevent similar issues in the future. The primary remediation involves implementing proper parameterized queries or prepared statements that separate sql code from data input, thereby preventing malicious sql fragments from being executed. Additionally, developers should implement strict input validation and sanitization routines that filter out potentially dangerous characters and sequences before any database interaction occurs. The application should also implement proper error handling that does not reveal database structure information to users, as this can aid attackers in crafting more sophisticated attacks. Regular security testing including automated sql injection scanning and manual penetration testing should be conducted to identify and remediate similar vulnerabilities across the entire application codebase. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls and input filtering mechanisms at the network level to provide additional protection against sql injection attacks.