CVE-2023-6418 in Social Networking Script
Summary
by MITRE • 11/30/2023
A vulnerability has been reported in Voovi Social Networking Script that affects version 1.0 and consists of a SQL injection via videos.php in the id parameter. Exploitation of this vulnerability could allow a remote attacker to send a specially crafted SQL query to the server and retrieve all the information stored in the application.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/20/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2023-6418 represents a critical security flaw in the Voovi Social Networking Script version 1.0, specifically targeting the videos.php script through improper input validation in the id parameter. This SQL injection vulnerability stems from inadequate sanitization of user-supplied data before processing within database queries, creating an exploitable entry point for malicious actors to manipulate the underlying database infrastructure. The flaw directly violates security principles outlined in CWE-89, which categorizes SQL injection as a persistent weakness that allows attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands against database systems. The vulnerability's classification aligns with ATT&CK technique T1071.004, which covers application layer protocol manipulation through database interactions.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when an attacker crafts a malicious payload targeting the id parameter in videos.php, bypassing normal input validation mechanisms. The script fails to properly escape or parameterize user input, allowing an attacker to inject malicious SQL syntax that gets executed by the database server. This enables unauthorized access to sensitive data including user credentials, personal information, and system metadata stored within the application's database. The impact extends beyond simple data retrieval as attackers can potentially modify or delete database records, escalate privileges, or even gain deeper system access through chained attacks. The vulnerability's remote exploitability means no local access or authentication is required for successful exploitation, making it particularly dangerous in publicly accessible web applications.
The operational impact of CVE-2023-6418 poses significant risks to organizations using the affected Voovi Social Networking Script, particularly in environments where user data privacy and regulatory compliance are critical concerns. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to extract comprehensive databases containing user profiles, login credentials, private messages, and other sensitive information. The vulnerability's presence in a social networking platform amplifies the potential damage as it may expose personal relationships, communication patterns, and behavioral data that could be used for identity theft, social engineering, or targeted attacks. Organizations may face regulatory penalties under data protection laws such as GDPR or CCPA if user data is compromised through this vulnerability. The attack surface is further expanded by the fact that social networking platforms typically store large volumes of interconnected user data, making a successful SQL injection attack potentially devastating to the entire user ecosystem.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2023-6418 must address both immediate remediation and long-term security hardening measures. The primary solution involves implementing proper input validation and parameterized queries to prevent SQL injection attacks, which aligns with OWASP Top Ten recommendations for preventing injection flaws. Organizations should immediately apply patches or updates provided by the software vendor to address the vulnerability in the videos.php script. Additionally, implementing web application firewalls, input sanitization mechanisms, and regular security code reviews can help prevent similar issues in future development cycles. The implementation of principle of least privilege for database connections, regular database access logging, and intrusion detection systems provides additional layers of defense. Security teams should also conduct comprehensive penetration testing and vulnerability assessments to identify other potential injection points within the application and ensure that proper security controls are in place across the entire codebase.