CVE-2023-45657 in Nexter Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 11/06/2023
Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an SQL Command ('SQL Injection') vulnerability in POSIMYTH Nexter allows SQL Injection.This issue affects Nexter: from n/a through 2.0.3.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/06/2024
The CVE-2023-45657 vulnerability represents a critical SQL injection flaw within the POSIMYTH Nexter system, specifically impacting versions ranging from an unspecified initial release through 2.0.3. This vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and sanitization mechanisms that fail to properly neutralize special elements within SQL commands, creating a pathway for malicious actors to manipulate database queries. The flaw exists in the application's handling of user-supplied data that is directly incorporated into SQL execution contexts without proper escaping or parameterization, violating fundamental security principles for database interaction. Such vulnerabilities typically arise when developers assume that user inputs are benign and fail to implement proper input filtering or use of prepared statements.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when an attacker crafts malicious input that gets processed by the Nexter application and subsequently embedded into SQL queries without adequate sanitization. This allows attackers to inject arbitrary SQL code that executes within the database context, potentially enabling unauthorized data access, modification, or deletion. The vulnerability's impact extends beyond simple data theft as it can facilitate complete database compromise, privilege escalation, and persistence mechanisms within the affected system. According to CWE classification, this represents a CWE-89: Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an SQL Command, which is a well-documented weakness that has been consistently exploited in various applications across different domains. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1071.004 for application layer protocol manipulation and T1566 for credential access through exploitation of software vulnerabilities.
The operational impact of this vulnerability within the POSIMYTH Nexter environment could be devastating, particularly given the nature of point-of-sale systems which typically handle sensitive financial and personal data. Attackers could potentially extract customer information, transaction records, and other confidential data stored in the database, leading to financial fraud, identity theft, and regulatory compliance violations. The vulnerability's presence in multiple versions suggests a systemic issue within the application's architecture rather than a single instance of poor coding practice, indicating that organizations using affected versions face significant risk exposure. Organizations may experience service disruption, data breaches, and potential legal consequences including fines under regulations such as GDPR or PCI DSS. The vulnerability's exploitation requires minimal technical expertise, making it particularly dangerous as it can be leveraged by attackers with varying skill levels.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability must address both immediate remediation and long-term architectural improvements. Organizations should immediately implement parameterized queries or prepared statements to ensure that user inputs are properly separated from SQL command structures, which directly addresses the root cause of the vulnerability. Input validation and sanitization mechanisms should be strengthened to reject or escape special characters that could be used in SQL injection attacks. Additionally, implementing proper access controls and database permissions can limit the damage from successful exploitation attempts. Regular security testing including automated scanning and manual penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities throughout the application codebase. The remediation process should also involve comprehensive code reviews focusing on database interaction patterns, following secure coding practices and adhering to industry standards such as OWASP Top Ten and NIST Cybersecurity Framework guidelines. System administrators should also consider implementing database activity monitoring and intrusion detection systems to detect potential exploitation attempts and provide early warning capabilities for security teams.