CVE-2024-23539 in Fineract
Summary
by MITRE • 03/29/2024
Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an SQL Command ('SQL Injection') vulnerability in Apache Fineract.This issue affects Apache Fineract: <1.8.5.
Users are recommended to upgrade to version 1.8.5 or 1.9.0, which fix the issue.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/13/2024
The vulnerability CVE-2024-23539 represents a critical SQL injection flaw in Apache Fineract, a comprehensive financial services platform designed for microfinance institutions. This weakness stems from inadequate input validation and sanitization within the application's database query processing mechanisms, allowing malicious actors to manipulate SQL commands through specially crafted inputs. The vulnerability specifically impacts versions prior to 1.8.5, making organizations running older iterations particularly susceptible to unauthorized data access and potential system compromise. The flaw exists in the application's handling of user-supplied data that is directly incorporated into SQL queries without proper escaping or parameterization, creating a pathway for attackers to execute arbitrary database commands.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability manifests when user inputs are processed through SQL query construction methods that fail to properly neutralize special characters and control sequences. Attackers can exploit this weakness by injecting malicious SQL fragments into input fields, potentially bypassing authentication mechanisms, extracting sensitive financial data, modifying database records, or even gaining elevated privileges within the system. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-89, which categorizes improper neutralization of special elements used in SQL commands as a fundamental weakness in database interaction patterns. This classification reflects the core issue where application code fails to properly sanitize user inputs before incorporating them into database queries, creating an environment where malicious payloads can be interpreted as executable SQL code rather than mere data.
The operational impact of CVE-2024-23539 extends beyond simple data theft, potentially enabling complete system compromise within financial institutions that rely on Apache Fineract for their core operations. Given that Fineract serves microfinance organizations handling sensitive customer financial information, the consequences of exploitation could include unauthorized fund transfers, customer data breaches, regulatory compliance violations, and significant reputational damage. The vulnerability's exploitation could lead to unauthorized access to customer accounts, transaction histories, and personal identification information, all of which fall under the scope of financial data protection requirements. Organizations may face regulatory penalties under frameworks such as PCI DSS, GDPR, or local financial data protection laws, depending on their geographical location and the nature of their customer base. The attack surface is particularly concerning for financial institutions as the exploitation could enable attackers to manipulate loan records, customer balances, and other critical financial data.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2024-23539 primarily focus on immediate version upgrades to 1.8.5 or 1.9.0, which incorporate proper input validation and parameterized query implementations. Organizations should also implement comprehensive input sanitization measures, including the adoption of prepared statements and parameterized queries throughout the application codebase. Security teams must conduct thorough code reviews to identify and remediate similar patterns that might exist elsewhere in the system architecture. Network-level protections such as web application firewalls and intrusion detection systems should be configured to monitor for suspicious SQL injection patterns, while database access controls should be strictly enforced to limit the impact of potential breaches. The remediation process should include comprehensive testing to ensure that the upgrade does not introduce regressions in functionality, and organizations should maintain detailed audit logs to track access patterns and potential exploitation attempts. This vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of maintaining up-to-date software versions and implementing robust input validation practices, aligning with ATT&CK technique T1071.004 for application layer protocol manipulation and T1190 for exploitation of remote services.