CVE-2020-15849 : Exploit Details and Defense Strategies

Re:Desk 2.3 has a blind authenticated SQL injection vulnerability that could lead to sensitive data exposure and remote code execution.

Understanding CVE-2020-15849

Re:Desk 2.3 is affected by a SQL injection vulnerability that can be exploited by an attacker with administrative access to the application.

What is CVE-2020-15849?

The vulnerability exists in the SettingsController class, specifically in the actionEmailTemplates() method. An attacker could exploit this flaw to retrieve sensitive data from the application's database, potentially leading to authorization bypass and compromise of additional accounts. Additionally, the vulnerability allows for remote command execution by abusing the Yii framework's bizRule functionality, enabling the execution of arbitrary PHP code. Combining this vulnerability with another insecure file upload vulnerability (CVE-2020-15488) further exacerbates the risk of remote command execution.

The Impact of CVE-2020-15849

The exploitation of this vulnerability could result in the following consequences:

Unauthorized access to sensitive data stored in the application's database
Authorization bypass leading to account compromise
Remote command execution through arbitrary PHP code
Potential takeover of additional accounts by manipulating password-reset tokens

Technical Details of CVE-2020-15849

Re:Desk 2.3's vulnerability details are as follows:

Vulnerability Description

The blind authenticated SQL injection vulnerability in the SettingsController class allows attackers to extract sensitive data and execute arbitrary PHP code.

Affected Systems and Versions

Product: Re:Desk 2.3
Vendor: N/A
Version: N/A

Exploitation Mechanism

The vulnerability can be exploited by an attacker with administrative access to the application, enabling them to perform SQL injection attacks and execute arbitrary PHP code.

Mitigation and Prevention

To address CVE-2020-15849, the following steps are recommended:

Immediate Steps to Take

Implement a security patch provided by the vendor
Restrict access to administrative accounts
Monitor database activities for suspicious behavior

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update and patch the application to address security vulnerabilities
Conduct security assessments and penetration testing to identify and remediate potential weaknesses

Patching and Updates

Apply security updates and patches promptly to mitigate known vulnerabilities in the application