CVE-2023-45503 in Macs CMS
Summary
by MITRE • 04/15/2024
SQL Injection vulnerability in Macrob7 Macs CMS 1.1.4f, allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code, cause a denial of service (DoS), escalate privileges, and obtain sensitive information via crafted payload to resetPassword, forgotPasswordProcess, saveUser, saveRole, deleteUser, deleteRole, deleteComment, deleteUser, allowComment, saveRole, forgotPasswordProcess, resetPassword, saveUser, addComment, saveRole, and saveUser endpoints.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/19/2025
The CVE-2023-45503 vulnerability represents a critical SQL injection flaw within Macrob7 Macs CMS version 1.1.4f that exposes multiple attack vectors through various API endpoints. This vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and improper parameter handling within the application's database interaction layers, creating a pathway for malicious actors to manipulate database queries through crafted payloads. The affected endpoints include resetPassword, forgotPasswordProcess, saveUser, saveRole, deleteUser, deleteRole, deleteComment, allowComment, addComment, and others, indicating a systemic weakness in the application's data processing architecture. The vulnerability operates under CWE-89 which categorizes SQL injection as a serious weakness that allows attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands against the database backend. This weakness directly maps to attack techniques described in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under T1190 - Exploit Public-Facing Application, where adversaries target web applications to gain unauthorized access and execute malicious code. The attack surface is particularly concerning as it encompasses user management functions, authentication processes, and comment handling mechanisms that are fundamental to CMS operations.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability enables attackers to perform a wide range of malicious activities including arbitrary code execution, denial of service conditions, privilege escalation, and unauthorized data access. When attackers submit specially crafted payloads to the vulnerable endpoints, the application fails to properly sanitize input parameters before incorporating them into SQL queries, allowing the injected SQL commands to execute with the privileges of the database user. This can result in complete database compromise, where attackers can extract sensitive user credentials, personal information, and system configurations. The vulnerability's impact extends beyond simple data theft as it can enable attackers to modify or delete critical system data, potentially causing service disruption and system instability. The fact that multiple endpoints are affected suggests that the application's input validation mechanisms are either completely absent or inadequately implemented across its user management and authentication modules.
The operational impact of this vulnerability poses significant risks to organizations utilizing Macrob7 Macs CMS 1.1.4f, particularly those handling sensitive user data or requiring robust security controls. Organizations may experience unauthorized access to user accounts, leading to potential identity theft, data breaches, and compliance violations. The vulnerability's ability to cause denial of service through database manipulation can disrupt normal business operations and user access to the CMS platform. Privilege escalation capabilities mean that attackers could potentially gain administrative access to the entire system, enabling them to modify content, alter user permissions, and compromise the integrity of the entire website. Additionally, the exposure of sensitive information through SQL injection attacks can result in regulatory penalties and reputational damage. The vulnerability affects both the availability and confidentiality aspects of the CIA triad, creating potential for cascading security failures throughout the organization's digital infrastructure.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2023-45503 must prioritize immediate remediation through proper input validation and parameterized query implementation across all affected endpoints. Organizations should implement robust input sanitization mechanisms that filter or escape special characters before database processing, ensuring that user-supplied data cannot alter the intended structure of SQL queries. The implementation of prepared statements or parameterized queries should be mandatory across all database interaction points to prevent SQL injection exploitation. Security patches should be applied immediately to upgrade to a version that addresses this vulnerability, as the vendor has likely released a patched version. Network-level protections such as web application firewalls should be configured to detect and block suspicious SQL injection patterns targeting the affected endpoints. Regular security audits and penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other application components, while access controls should be reviewed to limit database privileges and implement principle of least privilege. Additionally, monitoring and logging of database activities should be enhanced to detect anomalous queries that may indicate exploitation attempts, and incident response procedures should be updated to address potential SQL injection attacks targeting CMS platforms.