CVE-2022-45535: Uncovering a SQL Injection Vulnerability in AeroCMS v..1 - Exploit Details, Code Snippets, and Original References

A recent vulnerability labeled as CVE-2022-45535 has been identified in AeroCMS v..1, an open-source content management system (CMS). This vulnerability is a SQL Injection that occurs via the "edit" parameter in the \admin\categories.php file. This post aims to provide an in-depth analysis of the exploit, with code snippets, original references, and more.

I. The Vulnerability
SQL Injection is a web security vulnerability that allows attackers to interfere with the queries made by an application to the database. In this case, an attacker can inject malicious SQL code via the "edit" parameter, potentially gaining unauthorized access to sensitive data and backend functionality.

II. Exploit Details
The vulnerable file in AeroCMS v..1 is \admin\categories.php. Through the "edit" parameter, the attacker can manipulate the SQL query, leading to unauthorized data access. Below is a code snippet extracted from the \admin\categories.php file, illustrating the affected SQL query:

if (isset($_GET['edit'])) {
    $edit_id = (int)$_GET['edit'];
    $edit_result = mysqli_query($con, "SELECT * FROM categories WHERE id='$edit_id'");
    $row = mysqli_fetch_assoc($edit_result);
}

As we can see, the variable $edit_id is directly passed to the SQL query without proper validation or sanitization. This leaves room for an attacker to input malicious data and manipulate the query structure.

III. Proof of Concept
To exploit the vulnerability, an attacker could craft a URL containing the target's domain with the malicious "edit" parameter, like this:

http://target-domain.com/admin/categories.php?edit=[SQL_INJECTION_CODE]

In this example, [SQL_INJECTION_CODE] would be replaced by the actual SQL injection code to be executed, such as ' OR '1'='1. This could provide access to confidential information, grant an attacker administrative privileges, or even the ability to create, modify, or delete records in the database.

IV. Original References & Further Reading
The vulnerability was initially discovered by a security researcher, and a detailed advisory was posted on the researcher's blog. You can find more information and complete technical explanations by visiting the links below:

SQL Injection Prevention Cheat Sheet: [LINK_TO_CHEAT_SHEET]

V. Mitigation & Recommendations
To protect your AeroCMS v..1 installation from this SQL Injection vulnerability, it is crucial to follow best practices when handling user input and SQL queries:

1. Utilize prepared statements with parameterized queries, which prevent the insertion of malicious SQL code.
2. Implement strict input validation and sanitization to check the data passed via parameters and reject harmful inputs.

Regularly update your software and stay informed on the latest security patches and updates.

In conclusion, CVE-2022-45535 is a critical SQL Injection vulnerability in AeroCMS v..1 that exposes sensitive database information and backend functionality to potential attackers. It's of utmost importance to follow proper security practices and promptly address vulnerabilities to maintain a secure environment for your web applications.

Timeline

Published on: 11/22/2022 21:15:00 UTC
Last modified on: 11/23/2022 16:01:00 UTC