CVE-2023-49776 in Sayfa Sayac Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 12/20/2023
Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an SQL Command ('SQL Injection') vulnerability in Hakan Demiray Sayfa Sayac.This issue affects Sayfa Sayac: from n/a through 2.6.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/13/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2023-49776 represents a critical SQL injection weakness within the Sayfa Sayac plugin developed by Hakan Demiray. This flaw resides in the improper neutralization of special elements within SQL commands, creating a pathway for malicious actors to manipulate database queries through crafted input parameters. The vulnerability specifically impacts versions of the plugin ranging from the initial release through version 2.6, indicating a sustained issue that has persisted across multiple iterations of the software. The affected plugin appears to be a page counter or visitor tracking system, which typically processes user input to generate database queries for counting visits or page views, making it susceptible to exploitation through database manipulation.
The technical nature of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-89, which specifically addresses SQL injection flaws where untrusted data is incorporated into SQL commands without proper sanitization or parameterization. Attackers can exploit this weakness by injecting malicious SQL code through input fields that are not properly validated or escaped before being processed by the database. The vulnerability's impact extends beyond simple data theft, as successful exploitation could enable attackers to execute arbitrary database commands, potentially leading to complete database compromise, data exfiltration, or even system takeover. The improper neutralization occurs at the application level where user-supplied data flows directly into SQL execution contexts without adequate protection mechanisms such as prepared statements or proper input filtering.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability poses significant risks to websites utilizing the Sayfa Sayac plugin, particularly those that handle sensitive information or rely on database integrity for core functionality. The attack surface is expanded when the plugin is used in conjunction with other vulnerable components or when the web application lacks additional security layers such as web application firewalls or database access controls. The vulnerability's exploitation requires minimal technical expertise, making it attractive to threat actors across different skill levels and potentially leading to widespread compromise of affected systems. The impact on affected organizations includes potential data breaches, regulatory compliance violations, and reputational damage, especially if the compromised data includes user personal information or business-critical records.
Mitigation strategies should prioritize immediate patching of the vulnerable plugin to the latest version that addresses the SQL injection vulnerability. Organizations should implement proper input validation and parameterized queries throughout their applications to prevent similar issues from occurring in the future. The implementation of web application firewalls and database activity monitoring can provide additional layers of defense against exploitation attempts. Security best practices recommend following the principle of least privilege for database accounts used by applications, ensuring that database connections have minimal required permissions and access rights. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of regular security assessments and code reviews, particularly for third-party plugins and components that interact with databases, as these elements often represent overlooked attack vectors in web application security. Organizations should also consider implementing automated vulnerability scanning tools that can detect and alert on known vulnerable plugin versions to prevent exploitation attempts.