CVE-2023-48260 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 authentication. The issue stems from inadequate input validation and access control mechanisms within the web application's database query interface. Attackers can exploit this weakness by crafting specially formatted HTTP requests that bypass normal authorization checks and directly retrieve database records. The vulnerability falls under the category of insecure direct object references as defined by CWE-639, where the application provides direct access to database objects without proper authorization verification. This type of flaw is particularly dangerous because it allows attackers to bypass traditional authentication mechanisms entirely, making it an attractive target for threat actors seeking to extract sensitive information. The lack of authentication requirements means that any remote user can potentially access the database content, regardless of their authorization status or role within the system.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability typically involves the application failing to properly validate or sanitize user-supplied input that is used to construct database queries. When an HTTP request is processed, the application may directly incorporate user-provided parameters into database access commands without adequate filtering or access control enforcement. This creates a path where an attacker can manipulate the request parameters to retrieve data that should normally be restricted. The vulnerability may be present in various components including API endpoints, database query interfaces, or web application modules that handle database interactions. The flaw likely exists in the application's data access layer where user input is not properly validated against expected parameter ranges or access permissions. Such implementations often lack proper parameter binding or input sanitization, allowing malicious input to directly influence database query construction.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data exposure, potentially leading to significant security breaches and compliance violations. Attackers could extract sensitive information including user credentials, personal data, financial records, or proprietary business information depending on the database content. The vulnerability enables reconnaissance activities where attackers can map database structures and identify valuable data assets for further exploitation. Organizations may face regulatory penalties under data protection laws such as gdpr or ccpa if sensitive data is compromised through this vulnerability. The exposure of database content can also facilitate additional attacks including privilege escalation, data manipulation, or lateral movement within the network. This type of vulnerability is particularly concerning for applications handling personal identifiable information or confidential business data, as it can result in substantial financial losses and reputational damage.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on implementing proper input validation, access control enforcement, and secure coding practices. Organizations must implement robust parameter validation and sanitization mechanisms to prevent user input from directly influencing database queries. The application should enforce strict access controls at every level of the data access stack, ensuring that all database operations require proper authentication and authorization. Implementing prepared statements or parameterized queries can prevent injection attacks that may lead to unauthorized data access. Regular security testing including penetration testing and code reviews should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in the application code. Network-level protections such as web application firewalls and access control lists can provide additional defense-in-depth measures. The remediation process should include comprehensive logging and monitoring of database access patterns to detect anomalous activities that may indicate exploitation attempts. Additionally, implementing principle of least privilege access controls and regular security updates can help reduce the attack surface and prevent similar vulnerabilities from emerging in the future.