Source: disclosure@vulncheck.com
Inventory Webapp contains an SQL injection vulnerability that allows unauthenticated attackers to manipulate database queries by injecting SQL code through GET parameters. Attackers can supply malicious SQL payloads in the name, description, quantity, or cat_id parameters to add-item.php to execute arbitrary database commands.
Unauthenticated attackers can exploit a critical SQL injection vulnerability in the Inventory Webapp by injecting malicious SQL code through GET parameters. This allows for the complete compromise of the database, potentially leading to data theft, system takeover, and denial-of-service conditions.
Step 1: Identify Vulnerable Parameters: The attacker identifies the name, description, quantity, and cat_id GET parameters within the add-item.php script as potential injection points.
Step 2: Craft Malicious Payload: The attacker constructs a malicious SQL payload designed to achieve a specific goal, such as retrieving sensitive data, modifying database contents, or executing arbitrary commands.
Step 3: Inject Payload: The attacker sends a crafted HTTP GET request to add-item.php, including the malicious SQL payload within one or more of the vulnerable parameters.
Step 4: Execute Malicious Query: The web application, due to the lack of input validation, incorporates the attacker's payload directly into the SQL query.
Step 5: Database Interaction: The database server executes the modified SQL query, potentially allowing the attacker to read, write, or delete data, or even execute operating system commands if the database server is configured to allow it.
Step 6: Data Exfiltration/System Compromise: The attacker leverages the results of the malicious query to achieve their objectives, such as exfiltrating sensitive data, gaining unauthorized access, or disrupting the application's functionality.
The vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and sanitization of user-supplied data within the add-item.php script. Specifically, the script directly incorporates data from the name, description, quantity, and cat_id GET parameters into SQL queries without proper escaping or filtering. This allows an attacker to craft malicious SQL payloads that can modify, retrieve, or delete data within the database. The lack of parameterized queries or prepared statements further exacerbates the issue, making the application susceptible to SQL injection attacks. The root cause is a failure to implement secure coding practices, specifically failing to properly validate and sanitize user input before incorporating it into database queries. This leads to a direct injection of attacker-controlled data into the SQL statements, enabling arbitrary database command execution.
While no specific APTs are directly linked to this CVE, SQL injection is a widely used technique. Threat actors of all levels of sophistication, including financially motivated groups and nation-state actors, could exploit this vulnerability. CISA KEV status is likely, given the severity and ease of exploitation.
Web application firewall (WAF) logs showing suspicious SQL syntax in GET parameters to add-item.php.
Database server logs indicating unusual query activity, such as unexpected data retrieval or modification attempts.
Network traffic analysis revealing unusual HTTP GET requests to add-item.php with potentially malicious payloads in the parameters.
Intrusion Detection System (IDS) alerts triggered by SQL injection signatures.
File integrity monitoring detecting unauthorized modifications to database files or web application files.
Implement parameterized queries or prepared statements to prevent SQL injection. This separates the SQL code from the user-supplied data.
Thoroughly validate and sanitize all user-supplied input before incorporating it into SQL queries. Use allowlists instead of denylists.
Employ a web application firewall (WAF) to filter malicious traffic and block SQL injection attempts.
Regularly update the Inventory Webapp to the latest version, which should include patches for this vulnerability.
Enforce the principle of least privilege for database users, limiting their access to only the necessary resources.
Conduct regular security audits and penetration testing to identify and address vulnerabilities.
Implement strong input validation on the client-side as a defense-in-depth measure, but never rely on it as the sole security control.