CVE-2023-4974 in LMS
Summary
by MITRE • 09/15/2023
A vulnerability was found in Academy LMS 6.2. It has been rated as critical. Affected by this issue is some unknown functionality of the file /academy/tutor/filter of the component GET Parameter Handler. The manipulation of the argument price_min/price_max leads to sql injection. The attack may be launched remotely. VDB-239750 is the identifier assigned to this vulnerability. NOTE: The vendor was contacted early about this disclosure but did not respond in any way.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/06/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2023-4974 represents a critical SQL injection flaw within the Academy LMS 6.2 platform, specifically affecting the GET parameter handler functionality within the /academy/tutor/filter component. This security weakness stems from inadequate input validation and sanitization of user-supplied parameters, particularly the price_min and price_max arguments that are processed through the application's filtering mechanism. The vulnerability's classification as critical indicates the potential for severe impact including complete database compromise, unauthorized data access, and possible system takeover. The remote attack vector means that malicious actors can exploit this weakness without requiring physical access to the target system, making it particularly dangerous in web-facing applications.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when an attacker manipulates the price_min and price_max GET parameters to inject malicious SQL code into the application's database query execution flow. This type of injection allows attackers to bypass authentication mechanisms, extract sensitive information from the database, modify or delete records, and potentially gain elevated privileges within the system. The vulnerability directly maps to CWE-89 which defines SQL injection as the insertion of malicious SQL code into query statements, and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1071.004 for application layer protocol manipulation. The lack of proper input validation means that user-controllable data flows directly into database queries without adequate sanitization or parameterization, creating an exploitable pathway for attackers to manipulate the underlying database structure.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft to encompass complete system compromise and potential business disruption. An attacker who successfully exploits this SQL injection vulnerability could access student records, course materials, instructor information, and financial data stored within the Academy LMS database. The remote nature of the attack means that organizations are exposed to threats from anywhere on the internet, with no requirement for insider knowledge or physical access. This vulnerability could enable attackers to establish persistent backdoors, conduct data exfiltration campaigns, or use the compromised system as a launch point for further attacks against the organization's network infrastructure. The absence of vendor response to early disclosure attempts suggests potential delays in patch development or awareness, leaving systems vulnerable for extended periods.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2023-4974 should prioritize immediate implementation of input validation and parameterized query approaches to prevent SQL injection exploitation. Organizations must ensure that all user-supplied parameters, particularly those used in database queries, are properly sanitized and validated before processing. The implementation of web application firewalls and input filtering mechanisms can provide additional layers of protection while patches are developed. Security teams should conduct immediate vulnerability assessments to identify systems running affected versions of Academy LMS and implement network segmentation to limit potential attack surfaces. Regular security monitoring and log analysis should be enhanced to detect anomalous database query patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. Additionally, organizations should implement proper access controls and privilege management to limit the potential damage from successful exploitation, following ATT&CK framework recommendations for privileged access management and defense in depth strategies.