CVE-2023-31038 : Security Advisory and Response

Apache Log4cxx is affected by a SQL injection vulnerability when using the ODBC appender. This vulnerability allows attackers to execute malicious SQL queries when user input is not properly escaped. The affected version is 0.9.0.

Understanding CVE-2023-31038

Apache Log4cxx is a C++ framework that allows logging messages to a database using the ODBC appender. The SQL injection vulnerability arises due to inadequate handling of user input.

What is CVE-2023-31038?

The CVE-2023-31038 vulnerability involves SQL injection in Log4cxx when utilizing the ODBC appender to send log messages to a database. This issue has persisted since at least version 0.9.0 (released in 2003).

The Impact of CVE-2023-31038

As Log4cxx is a C++ framework, only C++ applications are affected by this vulnerability. Attackers can exploit this issue to execute arbitrary SQL queries, leading to potential data breaches or unauthorized access.

Technical Details of CVE-2023-31038

The SQL injection occurs when user input is not properly sanitized before being sent to the database using the ODBC appender. Version 1.1.0 addresses this issue by binding parameters to the SQL statement and introducing the new DBAppender class.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability arises from the lack of proper parameter binding in SQL statements, allowing malicious user input to be executed as SQL commands.

Affected Systems and Versions

Log4cxx versions before 1.1.0 are affected by this vulnerability, specifically version 0.9.0. C++ applications using Log4cxx with ODBC support are at risk.

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers can exploit this vulnerability by injecting malicious SQL commands into user input fields logged by the ODBC appender, bypassing SQL query validation.

Mitigation and Prevention

Users are strongly advised to upgrade to version 1.1.0 of Log4cxx, which implements proper parameter binding in SQL statements. Migrating to the new DBAppender class is also recommended to enhance security.

Immediate Steps to Take

Update Log4cxx to version 1.1.0 or above to mitigate the SQL injection risk. Ensure that user input fields are properly sanitized to prevent unauthorized SQL command execution.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly review and update the configuration files to ensure secure logging practices. Educate developers on the importance of input validation to prevent SQL injection vulnerabilities.

Patching and Updates

Refer to the Log4cxx documentation for guidance on configuring the ODBC appender with proper parameter binding to prevent SQL injection attacks.