CVE-2018-20061 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

An SQL injection vulnerability was found in versions 10.x and 11.x (up to 11.0.3-beta.29) of ERPNext, allowing attackers to construct SQL queries to retrieve columns from any tables in the database.

Understanding CVE-2018-20061

This CVE involves an SQL injection vulnerability in ERPNext versions 10.x and 11.x, potentially exposing sensitive data.

What is CVE-2018-20061?

This vulnerability allows a logged-in user to execute an SQL injection attack by invoking a JavaScript function that calls a server-side Python function with specific arguments. The attack can be performed without requiring special privileges and can lead to unauthorized access to database tables.

The Impact of CVE-2018-20061

Attackers can exploit this vulnerability to retrieve columns from any tables in the database.
Many ERPNext websites are at risk due to the ability for users to create accounts via the web.

Technical Details of CVE-2018-20061

This section provides more in-depth technical information about the vulnerability.

Vulnerability Description

The SQL injection issue in ERPNext versions 10.x and 11.x (up to 11.0.3-beta.29) allows attackers to manipulate SQL queries to access database tables.

Affected Systems and Versions

Affected Versions: 10.x and 11.x (up to 11.0.3-beta.29) of ERPNext
Systems: ERPNext websites that allow user account creation via the web

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers can exploit the vulnerability by invoking a JavaScript function that calls a server-side Python function with carefully selected arguments.
The attack is related to URIs /api/resource/Item?fields=, frappe.get_list, and frappe.call functions.

Mitigation and Prevention

Protecting systems from this vulnerability requires immediate actions and long-term security practices.

Immediate Steps to Take

Update ERPNext to the latest patched version.
Monitor and restrict user privileges to minimize the risk of SQL injection attacks.

Long-Term Security Practices

Implement input validation to prevent malicious SQL queries.
Conduct regular security audits and penetration testing to identify and address vulnerabilities.

Patching and Updates

Regularly apply security patches and updates provided by ERPNext to address known vulnerabilities.