The JFinal CMS version 5.1., a widely used content management system, has been identified having a significant SQL Injection vulnerability (designated as CVE-2022-37202) through the "/admin/advicefeedback/list" endpoint. Today, we'll explore the details of this vulnerability, how it can be exploited, and what steps to take to mitigate its risk.
Background
JFinal CMS is an easy-to-use Java-based content management system built on the JFinal framework. Its popularity stems from its low learning curve and simple development environment. The framework has been embraced by many web developers and website administrators for its convenience and features. However, the critical SQL Injection vulnerability discovered poses a tremendous security risk to its users.
Details of CVE-2022-37202
This specific vulnerability allows an attacker to send crafted malicious SQL code through a parameter in the "/admin/advicefeedback/list" endpoint, resulting in unauthorized access to, modification of, or deletion of sensitive data within a JFinal CMS database.
The exploitable parameter is pageIndex, wherein an attacker can provide a custom SQL payload that could be executed directly within the SQL query, leading to data breaches, unauthorized access, or potential damage to the underlying database.
Proof-of-Concept
To provide a better understanding of this vulnerability, let's examine a proof-of-concept (PoC) exploit code snippet.
GET /admin/advicefeedback/list?pageIndex=1' OR '1'='1 HTTP/1.1
Host: vulnerable.jfinalcms.com
In this example, the attacker sends a specially crafted request to the vulnerable server with the pageIndex parameter set to 1' OR '1'='1. This input causes the SQL query to return all available records, indicating a successful SQL Injection attempt.
By modifying the payload, an attacker can execute various malicious SQL operations depending on the attacker's goal, such as dumping sensitive data, creating new users, or even modifying existing user privileges.
Original References
This vulnerability was assigned the identifier CVE-2022-37202 by the MITRE Corporation, the organization responsible for managing and coordinating the Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures (CVE) system.
For more details regarding CVE-2022-37202, visit the following resources
- CVE entry: https://cve.mitre.org/cgi-bin/cvename.cgi?name=CVE-2022-37202
- NVD entry: https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2022-37202
Exploit and Mitigation Details
To exploit this vulnerability, an attacker needs only access to the vulnerable endpoint "/admin/advicefeedback/list." It's critical to apply patches as soon as they become available and review the application code to ensure no additional similar vulnerabilities exist.
In the meantime, you may take the following steps to mitigate the risk
1. Validate and sanitize all user inputs to prevent SQL Injection attempts. Use parameterized SQL queries, prepared statements, or stored procedures whenever possible.
2. Implement proper access controls and strong authentication measures to limit access to the vulnerable endpoint.
3. Utilize web application firewalls (WAFs) to block malicious payloads and patterns in HTTP requests targeting the vulnerable application.
Conclusion
CVE-2022-37202 represents a critical security vulnerability in JFinal CMS 5.1. which has the potential to put sensitive data and system integrity at risk. It's essential to stay up-to-date with the latest security patches and best practices to prevent exploitation of known vulnerabilities.
Timeline
Published on: 10/26/2022 18:15:00 UTC
Last modified on: 10/28/2022 17:46:00 UTC