Overview
In this long-read post, we discuss an important cybersecurity vulnerability, CVE-2022-3059, which affects a widely-used web application. This vulnerability allows attackers to exploit multiple instances of SQL injection, both authenticated and unauthenticated, through a vulnerable parameter. We will dive into the details of the exploit, provide code snippets, and explore multiple attack scenarios in which the attackers can use stacked queries and inferential SQL injection techniques to extract data from the victim's database. We also provide the original references and links to help you better understand this vulnerability and to protect your applications against it.
Exploit Details
The CVE-2022-3059 vulnerability affects a web application susceptible to SQL injection through a vulnerable parameter. Attackers can exploit this vulnerability by injecting complex, stacked SQL queries into the vulnerable parameter, which allows them to execute multiple SQL commands concurrently. Additionally, they can employ a time-based inferential SQL injection technique to extract sensitive data from the victim's database without requiring any direct database access.
Here's an example of a vulnerable SQL statement in the affected web application
SELECT * FROM users WHERE username='$username' AND password='$password'
In this example, the $username and $password variables are vulnerable parameters that can be manipulated by an attacker to insert their own SQL commands.
An attacker can create a malicious payload to exploit the vulnerability. For instance
$username = "' OR 1=1 -- ";
$password = "anything";
By injecting the payload into the vulnerable parameter, the SQL statement becomes
SELECT * FROM users WHERE username='' OR 1=1 -- ' AND password='anything'
As a result, the attacker can bypass the authentication process, since the OR 1=1 condition is always true. This example demonstrates the potential risks associated with CVE-2022-3059.
Using Stacked Queries
Stacked queries allow multiple SQL commands to be executed concurrently in a single SQL statement. Attackers can use this feature to execute additional malicious commands alongside the original query. For example, an attacker can use the '; separator to stack queries as follows:
$username = "admin'; DROP TABLE users; -- ";
The injected payload generates the following SQL statement
SELECT * FROM users WHERE username='admin'; DROP TABLE users; -- '
As seen above, the injected SQL commands will not only fetch user information but also execute the DROP TABLE users; command to delete the entire users table from the database.
Time-Based Inferential SQL Injection
Attackers can use time-based inferential SQL injection to extract valuable data from the vulnerable web application. By injecting carefully crafted, time-delaying payloads into the vulnerable parameter, they can indirectly confirm the existence of specific data in the database.
For instance, the attacker could employ the SLEEP() function available in MySQL (or other equivalent functions in other databases) to delay the response from the web application. Here's an example payload:
$username = "admin' AND (SELECT * FROM items WHERE name='Confidential' AND SLEEP(5)) -- ";
If the injected query returns a delayed response (i.e., waiting for 5 seconds), it implies that the items table contains an entry with the name "Confidential." The attacker could then use similar payloads to iteratively extract more information from the database.
References and Links
To learn more about CVE-2022-3059 and the concepts discussed in this article, refer to the following original references and links:
1. CVE-2022-3059 Official CVE Record
2. OWASP SQL Injection
3. Stacked Queries (Compound Queries) in SQL Injection
4. Time Based Blind SQL Injection
Conclusion
CVE-2022-3059 is a critical vulnerability that affects a widely-used web application and exposes it to SQL injection attacks. By leveraging stacked and inferential techniques, attackers can execute unauthorized SQL commands and extract sensitive data from the victim's database. Understanding and mitigating such vulnerabilities is essential for any organization to protect its digital infrastructure and secure its valuable assets.
Timeline
Published on: 10/31/2022 21:15:00 UTC
Last modified on: 11/03/2022 16:44:00 UTC