CVE-2020-37112
📋 TL;DR
CVE-2020-37112 is an SQL injection vulnerability in GUnet OpenEclass 1.7.3 that allows authenticated attackers to manipulate database queries through unvalidated parameters like 'month' in the agenda module. Attackers can extract sensitive database information using error-based or time-based injection techniques. This affects all OpenEclass 1.7.3 installations with authenticated user access.
💻 Affected Systems
- GUnet OpenEclass
📦 What is this software?
⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact
Worst Case
Complete database compromise including user credentials, personal data, course materials, and administrative information leading to data theft, system takeover, or data destruction.
Likely Case
Extraction of sensitive user data (passwords, personal information), course content, and system configuration details that could enable further attacks.
If Mitigated
Limited information disclosure if proper input validation and parameterized queries are implemented, with minimal impact on system availability.
🎯 Exploit Status
Exploit code is publicly available on Exploit-DB (ID 48163); requires authenticated access but injection techniques are straightforward.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: 1.7.4 and later
Vendor Advisory: https://download.openeclass.org/files/docs/1.7/CHANGES.txt
Restart Required: No
Instructions:
1. Backup your OpenEclass installation and database. 2. Download OpenEclass 1.7.4 or later from the official website. 3. Replace vulnerable files with patched versions. 4. Verify all SQL queries use parameterized statements. 5. Test functionality before production use.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Input Validation Filter
allAdd server-side validation to sanitize 'month' parameter and other user inputs before processing SQL queries.
Modify agenda module PHP files to validate month parameter: if(!is_numeric($_GET['month']) || $_GET['month'] < 1 || $_GET['month'] > 12) { die('Invalid month parameter'); }
Web Application Firewall Rules
allImplement WAF rules to block SQL injection patterns in HTTP requests.
Add WAF rule: SecRule ARGS "(?i)(union.*select|sleep\(|benchmark\(|'\s+or\s+'") "id:1001,phase:2,deny,status:403,msg:'SQL Injection Attempt'"
Modify .htaccess: RewriteCond %{QUERY_STRING} (union.*select|sleep\(|benchmark\(|'\s+or\s+') [NC]\nRewriteRule .* - [F,L]
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Implement strict input validation for all user-controlled parameters in the agenda module and other endpoints
- Deploy a web application firewall (WAF) with SQL injection detection rules
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Test the agenda module with SQL injection payloads: access /modules/agenda/index.php?month=1' AND SLEEP(5)-- and check for delayed responseCheck Version:
Check OpenEclass version in admin panel or examine CHANGES.txt file in installation directoryVerify Fix Applied:
Attempt SQL injection tests after patching; verify all user inputs are properly validated and SQL queries use parameterized statements📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Unusual SQL error messages in application logs
- Multiple failed login attempts followed by agenda module access
- Requests with SQL keywords in parameters (UNION, SELECT, SLEEP, BENCHMARK)
Network Indicators:
- HTTP requests containing SQL injection payloads in query parameters
- Unusual database query patterns from web application server
SIEM Query:
source="web_logs" AND ("union select" OR "sleep(" OR "benchmark(" OR "' or '") AND uri_path="/modules/agenda/"