CVE-2023-48259 in Nexo Cordless Nutrunner
Summary
by MITRE • 01/10/2024
The vulnerability allows a remote unauthenticated attacker to read arbitrary content of the results database via a crafted HTTP request.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/28/2024
This vulnerability represents a critical information disclosure flaw that enables remote attackers to access sensitive database content without requiring authentication credentials. The issue stems from inadequate input validation and access control mechanisms within the web application's database query interface. Attackers can construct malicious HTTP requests that bypass normal authorization checks and directly retrieve data from the results database. This type of vulnerability falls under the category of insecure direct object references as defined by CWE-639, where the application fails to properly verify access permissions for database resources. The flaw demonstrates a fundamental breakdown in the principle of least privilege, allowing unauthorized access to potentially sensitive information stored in the database. Such vulnerabilities are particularly dangerous because they can be exploited by anyone with network access to the affected system, making them highly attractive targets for automated scanning tools and malicious actors seeking to harvest sensitive data.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the web application's failure to properly sanitize or validate user-supplied input before processing database queries. When an attacker crafts a specific HTTP request containing malicious parameters or identifiers, the application processes these inputs without sufficient validation, leading to unauthorized database access. This pattern of exploitation aligns with ATT&CK technique T1213.002 for data from databases, where adversaries gain access to stored data through weaknesses in data access controls. The vulnerability likely exists in the application's query building or data retrieval logic where user input directly influences database access patterns. The lack of proper parameter validation and access control checks creates a pathway for attackers to manipulate the database query execution flow and extract content that should remain protected. This represents a classic case of insufficient input sanitization that allows attackers to manipulate the intended behavior of database access functions.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends far beyond simple data exposure, as it can lead to significant data breaches and compliance violations. Depending on the nature of the results database, attackers may gain access to personal information, system configurations, application data, or other sensitive content that could be used for further attacks or sold on dark web marketplaces. The unauthenticated nature of the exploit means that attackers do not need to compromise legitimate user credentials or gain access to system resources through other means. This vulnerability can result in substantial financial losses, regulatory fines, and damage to organizational reputation. The impact is particularly severe when considering that database contents often include personally identifiable information, intellectual property, or other critical business data that organizations are required to protect under various data protection regulations such as gdpr, hipaa, or pci dss standards. Organizations may face legal consequences and regulatory scrutiny if sensitive data is compromised through such vulnerabilities.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability must address both the immediate security gap and implement comprehensive access control measures. The primary remediation involves implementing proper input validation and parameterized queries to prevent attackers from manipulating database access through crafted HTTP requests. Organizations should enforce strict access controls and authentication requirements for all database operations, ensuring that only authorized users can access sensitive data. Implementing proper database query logging and monitoring can help detect suspicious access patterns and unauthorized data retrieval attempts. The solution requires comprehensive code review and security testing to identify all potential entry points where user input might influence database queries. Additionally, organizations should implement network-level controls such as web application firewalls and access control lists to limit exposure to unauthorized users. Regular security assessments and penetration testing should be conducted to ensure that access controls remain effective against evolving attack techniques. The remediation process must also include proper security training for developers to prevent similar issues in future application development cycles, addressing the root cause of inadequate input validation and access control implementation that led to this vulnerability.