External risk intelligence

BQE BillQuick Web Suite SQL Injection Leading to Code Execution.

CVE advisoryKnown Exploit

CVE-2021-42258

A SQL injection vulnerability in BQE BillQuick Web Suite enables unauthenticated remote code execution. This threat can lead to ransomware installation and significant business risk through unauthorized system access and data compromise.

4Halo Surface Signal

SQL Injection

Bqe Billquick Web Suite

19 to before 22.0.9.1

External exposure likelihood

Halo Surface Signal score for CVE-2021-42258

BQE BillQuick Web Suite is a web-based billing and management application. As a web application suite intended for business operations, it is commonly deployed as an internet-facing service to allow remote access for users, making its login and management endpoints reachable from the public internet.

Horizon Alert

Summary of the vulnerability and why it matters

BQE BillQuick Web Suite is vulnerable to an SQL injection flaw. This weakness allows attackers to execute arbitrary code on affected systems without authentication. The exploitation of this vulnerability can lead to significant business disruption, including the installation of ransomware.

  • Vulnerable to SQL injection
  • Enables unauthenticated code execution
  • Potential for ransomware deployment

Attack Path

How an attacker could exploit the issue

An attacker could exploit a SQL injection vulnerability in BQE BillQuick Web Suite to gain unauthorized access and execute arbitrary code. This attack vector targets unauthenticated remote access to the application's web interface. Successful exploitation allows the attacker to execute commands on the underlying system, potentially leading to further compromise. The vulnerability was reportedly used in October 2021 to install ransomware.

  • Unauthenticated remote access exposed.
  • Attacker injects SQL via username.
  • Arbitrary code execution results.

Live Threat

Current exploitation, exposure, and threat context

This vulnerability allows for unauthenticated remote code execution, meaning an attacker could gain control of affected systems without needing any prior access or credentials. The exploitation of this vulnerability has been observed in the wild, specifically for ransomware installation, indicating a significant real-world threat. Successful exploitation can grant attackers the ability to execute arbitrary commands on the compromised system, potentially leading to widespread disruption and data loss. Given the ease of exploitation and the severe potential impact, this vulnerability should be treated with urgency.

  • Likely attacker skill level: Low
  • Required access or conditions: Network access
  • Business risk or urgency: High

Priority actions

Operational Fix

Recommended remediation, mitigation, and detection steps

The organization should take immediate action regarding the BQE BillQuick Web Suite vulnerability. This issue has been exploited in the wild, leading to ransomware installation. The vulnerability allows for unauthenticated remote code execution through SQL injection. Successful exploitation can grant attackers the ability to execute arbitrary code.

  • Find all exposed BillQuick Web Suite assets.
  • Reduce exposure or isolate affected systems.
  • Apply vendor updates and validate.
  • Monitor for related suspicious activity.

Frequently asked questions

What is BQE BillQuick Web Suite and what is its primary function?

BQE BillQuick Web Suite is a web-based application designed for business operations, specifically focusing on billing and management tasks for clients and projects.

What type of vulnerability is CVE-2021-42258 and what is its weakness class?

CVE-2021-42258 is a SQL injection vulnerability, classified under CWE-89. This weakness allows attackers to manipulate database queries.

How can an attacker exploit CVE-2021-42258 to gain unauthorized access?

An attacker can exploit this vulnerability by sending specially crafted SQL commands, often through the 'txtID' parameter, to execute arbitrary code on the server.

What is the significance of CVE-2021-42258, particularly regarding its exploitation in the wild?

CVE-2021-42258 represents a critical threat as it enables unauthenticated remote code execution and was exploited in October 2021 for ransomware installation.

What actions should be taken to address the CVE-2021-42258 vulnerability?

Organizations should identify all exposed BillQuick Web Suite instances, reduce their exposure or isolate affected systems, apply vendor updates, and monitor for suspicious activities.

References