CVE-2021-34187 Scanner

Chamilo is an open-source e-learning and collaboration software, used extensively in educational institutions, businesses, and public administrations worldwide. It provides a comprehensive learning management system that includes tools for content creation, learning path management, and online assessments. Chamilo aims to enhance the accessibility to education, reducing the digital divide, and ensuring a wider reach for knowledge dissemination. It is utilized by trainers to manage the educational content and by students to access learning resources and track their progress. Built to be user-friendly, Chamilo is designed to be implemented swiftly, allowing users to customize and scale according to their specific needs. Its popularity stems from providing continuous updates and support within an active community of users and developers.

The SQL Injection vulnerability in Chamilo enables attackers to manipulate SQL queries by injecting unauthorized SQL code into input fields. This type of vulnerability can lead to unauthorized access to the database, data leaks, or in severe cases, full database compromise. It targets three specific parameters: searchField, filters, or filters2, within the Chamilo software's main/inc/ajax/model.ajax.php endpoint. If exploited, this flaw can be used without needing authentication, making it highly severe. The vulnerability exists in versions up to 1.14, rendering a significant number of installations at risk. Its critical nature is underscored by a high CVSS score, necessitating urgent remediation measures.

In Chamilo's main/inc/ajax/model.ajax.php endpoint, the parameters searchField, filters, and filters2 fail to properly sanitize inputs, making the system susceptible to SQL Injection. Attackers can exploit the SQL Injection by adding malicious SQL commands into these parameters, bypassing typical security controls. By leveraging MD5 function concatenation in SQL queries, attackers can verify SQL injection success by matching the hash with expected results. UNION ALL operator allows injecting additional SELECT statements to fetch sensitive data. The flaw's core lies in inadequate input validation, allowing manipulation of database-interacting requests. Chamilo's vulnerability is reminiscent of many legacy systems that lack contemporary input validation mechanisms, elevating the risk level for databases.

Exploiting this SQL injection vulnerability could lead to several severe impacts. Cybercriminals may obtain unauthorized access to sensitive data, such as user details, passwords, or business-critical information, potentially leading to identity theft or financial fraud. The integrity and confidentiality of the databases could be compromised, resulting in data manipulation or data loss. Attackers could also escalate privileges and execute administrative commands, potentially taking full control of the application. In worst-case scenarios, the whole server infrastructure might be compromised. Additionally, such vulnerabilities, if made public, could tarnish the institution's reputation and lead to substantial financial and trust deficits.

REFERENCES

• https://murat.one/?p=118
• https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2021-34187