CVE-2022-45536: AeroCMS v..1 SQL Injection Vulnerability Discovered and Exploit Details Revealed

A recent vulnerability dubbed CVE-2022-45536 has been discovered in AeroCMS v..1, a popular content management system. This vulnerability is a type of cyber security risk known as SQL Injection, which allows attackers to insert malicious SQL code and access sensitive database information. In this long read post, we will delve into the details of this vulnerability, its potential impacts, and the steps on how to protect your AeroCMS instance from being exploited. We will include code snippets, links to original references, and how this exploit works.

Vulnerability Details

The SQL Injection vulnerability in AeroCMS v..1 was found to be within the id parameter at the \admin\post_comments.php file. Attackers can exploit this weak point in the code to penetrate the system and manipulate a targeted site's database. This could lead to potentially disastrous consequences including unauthorized access to confidential data and even control of the website.

Here is a code snippet detailing the vulnerable portion at \admin\post_comments.php

$id = $_GET['id'];
$query = "SELECT * FROM post_comments WHERE id='$id'";
$result = mysqli_query($connection, $query);

As we can see, the code directly uses the $_GET['id'] parameter without proper validation or parameterization, which leads to the SQL Injection vulnerability.

Exploit Details

An attacker can exploit this vulnerability by sending a specially crafted URL containing malicious SQL code to the server. The server then processes the request, unknowingly executing the attacker's code and potentially allowing them to manipulate the database, obtain sensitive information, or deface the website.

For example, an attacker may craft a URL like this

http://target_site/admin/post_comments.php?id='; OR '1'='1

The database will interpret the SQL query as follows

SELECT * FROM post_comments WHERE id='' OR '1'='1';

This will cause the database to return all records from the post_comments table, providing the attacker with valuable information that could be used for further exploitation.

Original References

The vulnerability was initially reported by a security researcher. They have published their findings, along with the vulnerability's technical details, in the following security advisory:

- AeroCMS v..1 SQL Injection Vulnerability Advisory

Applying any available patches or updates from the AeroCMS developers.

2. Implementing proper input validation and parameterization in your code to prevent SQL Injection vulnerabilities.
3. Regularly scanning your website for potential vulnerabilities and keeping up to date with the latest security best practices.

In addition, users should consider employing other security measures, such as using a web application firewall (WAF) to provide additional protection against attacks.

Conclusion

The recent discovery of the SQL Injection vulnerability in AeroCMS v..1 highlights the importance of vigilance in securing your website. By staying informed about potential security flaws and implementing proper mitigation strategies, you can protect your website from unauthorized access, and keep sensitive information secure.

Stay safe and be sure to implement security best practices to protect your AeroCMS instances from exploitation.

Timeline

Published on: 11/22/2022 21:15:00 UTC
Last modified on: 11/23/2022 16:02:00 UTC