CVE-2023-4872 in Contact Manager App
Summary
by MITRE • 09/10/2023
A vulnerability, which was classified as critical, has been found in SourceCodester Contact Manager App 1.0. This issue affects some unknown processing of the file add.php. The manipulation of the argument contact/contactName leads to sql injection. The attack may be initiated remotely. The exploit has been disclosed to the public and may be used. The identifier VDB-239357 was assigned to this vulnerability.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/04/2023
This critical sql injection vulnerability exists in SourceCodester Contact Manager App version 1.0 within the add.php file where the contact/contactName parameter is processed without adequate input validation or sanitization. The flaw allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary sql commands by manipulating the contactName argument, potentially enabling full database compromise and unauthorized data access. The vulnerability represents a direct violation of secure coding principles and exposes sensitive user contact information to unauthorized parties. The disclosure of exploit details in VDB-239357 indicates that threat actors can readily leverage this weakness to gain unauthorized access to the application's backend database system.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from improper parameter handling in the add.php script where user-supplied contactName data is directly incorporated into sql query construction without appropriate escaping or parameterization techniques. This represents a classic sql injection attack vector classified under CWE-89, which specifically addresses improper neutralization of special elements used in sql commands. The remote attack surface allows malicious actors to inject sql payloads through web interface interactions, making the vulnerability particularly dangerous as it requires no local system access or privileged credentials to exploit. The application's failure to implement proper input validation and output encoding creates a persistent security gap that can be exploited to extract, modify, or delete database contents.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft to encompass complete system compromise and potential lateral movement within network environments. Successful exploitation could enable attackers to escalate privileges, access administrative functions, or use the compromised system as a pivot point for attacking other network resources. The vulnerability's classification as critical aligns with the potential for widespread damage and the ease of exploitation, as indicated by the public disclosure of working exploits. Organizations using this application face significant risk of data breaches, regulatory compliance violations, and reputational damage if the vulnerability remains unpatched. The attack vector's accessibility means that even automated scanning tools could identify and exploit this weakness, amplifying the potential impact across multiple target environments.
Mitigation strategies must focus on immediate patching of the application to address the root cause of the sql injection vulnerability through proper input validation and parameterized query implementation. Organizations should implement web application firewalls to detect and block suspicious sql injection patterns while conducting thorough code reviews to identify similar vulnerabilities in other application components. The remediation process should include input sanitization, output encoding, and proper error handling to prevent information leakage that could aid further exploitation attempts. Security teams should also implement database access controls and monitoring to detect unauthorized database activities. This vulnerability highlights the importance of following secure coding practices and adhering to industry standards such as those outlined in the owasp top ten and mitre att&ck framework, particularly the defense in depth principles that emphasize multiple layers of security controls to protect against sql injection and other common web application vulnerabilities.