CVE-2023-5693 in Internet Banking System
Summary
by MITRE • 10/25/2023
A vulnerability was found in CodeAstro Internet Banking System 1.0 and classified as critical. This issue affects some unknown processing of the file pages_reset_pwd.php. The manipulation of the argument email leads to sql injection. The attack may be initiated remotely. The exploit has been disclosed to the public and may be used. The associated identifier of this vulnerability is VDB-243131.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/12/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2023-5693 represents a critical sql injection flaw within the CodeAstro Internet Banking System version 1.0, demonstrating a severe security weakness that directly impacts financial services infrastructure. This vulnerability specifically resides in the pages_reset_pwd.php file, which handles password reset functionality for users within the banking platform. The flaw occurs when the system processes the email argument without proper input validation or sanitization, creating an avenue for malicious actors to manipulate database queries through crafted input parameters. The vulnerability's classification as critical underscores the potential for significant financial and data compromise, as sql injection attacks can enable unauthorized access to sensitive user information, account credentials, and financial transaction records.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability follows standard sql injection attack patterns where an attacker can manipulate the email parameter in the password reset functionality to inject malicious sql code. This allows for unauthorized database access and manipulation, potentially enabling attackers to extract user credentials, modify account information, or even escalate privileges within the banking system. The remote exploit capability means that attackers can initiate this attack from outside the network perimeter without requiring physical access to the system infrastructure. The disclosure of the exploit to the public community increases the risk profile significantly, as it provides threat actors with ready-made attack vectors and techniques that can be immediately implemented against vulnerable systems.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond immediate data compromise to include potential regulatory violations, financial losses, and reputational damage for financial institutions utilizing this software. The attack surface is particularly concerning given that password reset functionality is a common target for sql injection attacks, as it often involves database interactions and user authentication processes. Organizations using CodeAstro Internet Banking System 1.0 face substantial risk of unauthorized account access, data breaches, and potential fraud if this vulnerability remains unpatched. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-89 which categorizes sql injection as a fundamental weakness in database query construction and input handling, while also mapping to ATT&CK technique T1190 for exploiting vulnerabilities in remote services.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2023-5693 require immediate implementation of proper input validation and parameterized queries to prevent sql injection attacks. Organizations should apply the vendor-provided patches or updates as soon as they become available, while implementing additional security controls such as web application firewalls and database activity monitoring. The remediation process must include thorough code review of the pages_reset_pwd.php file to ensure all input parameters are properly sanitized and validated before database processing. Security teams should also implement network segmentation and access controls to limit the potential impact of successful exploitation attempts, while conducting comprehensive vulnerability assessments to identify similar weaknesses in other components of the banking infrastructure. Continuous monitoring and incident response procedures should be established to detect and respond to potential exploitation attempts, as the public disclosure of this exploit increases the likelihood of active attacks against vulnerable systems.