CVE-2020-8521
📋 TL;DR
This CVE describes a SQL injection vulnerability in phpzag's 'Live Add Edit Delete DataTables Records with Ajax PHP MySQL' script. Attackers can exploit the start and length parameters in Records.php to execute arbitrary SQL commands, potentially compromising the database. Any website using this vulnerable script is affected.
💻 Affected Systems
- phpzag Live Add Edit Delete DataTables Records with Ajax PHP MySQL
📦 What is this software?
Phpzag by Phpzag
⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact
Worst Case
Complete database compromise allowing data theft, modification, deletion, or full system takeover via SQL injection leading to remote code execution.
Likely Case
Database information disclosure, data manipulation, or authentication bypass leading to unauthorized access.
If Mitigated
Limited impact with proper input validation and parameterized queries preventing SQL injection.
🎯 Exploit Status
The vulnerability is in publicly available parameters with no authentication required, making exploitation straightforward.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: Updated script from phpzag website
Vendor Advisory: https://www.phpzag.com/live-add-edit-delete-datatables-records-with-ajax-php-mysql/
Restart Required: No
Instructions:
1. Download the updated script from phpzag.com. 2. Replace the vulnerable Records.php file. 3. Ensure all user inputs are properly sanitized. 4. Implement parameterized queries.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Input Validation and Sanitization
allAdd server-side validation to sanitize start and length parameters before processing.
// PHP example: $start = filter_var($_POST['start'], FILTER_VALIDATE_INT);
// $length = filter_var($_POST['length'], FILTER_VALIDATE_INT);
Web Application Firewall (WAF) Rules
allConfigure WAF to block SQL injection patterns in POST parameters.
# ModSecurity example: SecRule ARGS "@detectSQLi" "id:1001,phase:2,deny"
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Implement strict input validation and parameterized queries in Records.php
- Restrict database user permissions to minimum required privileges
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Review Records.php for direct use of $_POST['start'] and $_POST['length'] without proper sanitization or parameterized queries.Check Version:
Check the file modification date of Records.php and compare with known vulnerable versions.Verify Fix Applied:
Check that Records.php uses prepared statements with bound parameters for database queries.📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Unusual SQL queries in database logs
- Multiple requests with SQL-like patterns in parameters
Network Indicators:
- POST requests to Records.php with SQL injection payloads in parameters
SIEM Query:
source="web_logs" AND uri="*Records.php*" AND (param="*start=*" OR param="*length=*") AND (param="*UNION*" OR param="*SELECT*" OR param="*OR 1=1*")🔗 References
- http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2020/07/09/1
- http://www.vapidlabs.com/advisory.php?v=213
- https://www.phpzag.com/live-add-edit-delete-datatables-records-with-ajax-php-mysql/
- http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2020/07/09/1
- http://www.vapidlabs.com/advisory.php?v=213
- https://www.phpzag.com/live-add-edit-delete-datatables-records-with-ajax-php-mysql/
