CVE-2024-2562 Overview
CVE-2024-2562 is a SQL injection vulnerability in PandaXGO PandaX through version 20240310. The flaw resides in the InsertRole function within /apps/system/services/role_menu.go. Attackers can manipulate the roleKey argument to inject arbitrary SQL statements. The vulnerability is exploitable remotely without authentication or user interaction. Public disclosure of the exploit details has occurred under the identifier VDB-257061, increasing the risk of opportunistic exploitation. The weakness is classified under [CWE-89] for improper neutralization of special elements used in an SQL command.
Critical Impact
Unauthenticated remote attackers can inject SQL through the roleKey parameter to read, modify, or destroy database contents in PandaX deployments.
Affected Products
- PandaXGO PandaX up to and including version 20240310
- Component: /apps/system/services/role_menu.go
- Function: InsertRole
Discovery Timeline
- 2024-03-17 - CVE-2024-2562 published to NVD
- 2025-03-05 - Last updated in NVD database
Technical Details for CVE-2024-2562
Vulnerability Analysis
The vulnerability exists in the role management subsystem of PandaX, an open-source IoT and rapid development platform written in Go. The InsertRole function in /apps/system/services/role_menu.go accepts a user-supplied roleKey value and incorporates it into a SQL statement without proper sanitization or parameterization. An attacker submitting a crafted roleKey value can break out of the intended query context and append arbitrary SQL fragments. Because the attack vector is network-based and requires no privileges or user interaction, exploitation can be fully automated against exposed PandaX instances.
Root Cause
The root cause is improper neutralization of special elements within a SQL query [CWE-89]. The InsertRole code path concatenates the untrusted roleKey parameter directly into the query string instead of using parameterized statements or an ORM binding layer. This pattern allows attacker-controlled syntax to alter the meaning of the SQL command executed against the backend database.
Attack Vector
An unauthenticated remote attacker submits an HTTP request to the role creation endpoint that invokes InsertRole. The attacker places SQL metacharacters and additional clauses inside the roleKey field. The backend executes the resulting concatenated query, granting the attacker the ability to exfiltrate data, modify records, bypass authentication checks, or, depending on database privileges, execute commands on the underlying host. The exploit has been disclosed publicly via the GitHub issue tracker and VulDB entry 257061.
No verified proof-of-concept code is reproduced here. Refer to the GitHub Issue Discussion for technical exploitation details.
Detection Methods for CVE-2024-2562
Indicators of Compromise
- HTTP requests to PandaX role management endpoints containing SQL metacharacters such as single quotes, --, UNION, SELECT, or ; within the roleKey parameter
- Unexpected new entries in the sys_role or related role tables, particularly with malformed role_key values
- Database error messages logged by PandaX referencing syntax errors in role insertion queries
- Outbound database traffic spikes or unusual INFORMATION_SCHEMA queries following role API access
Detection Strategies
- Inspect application and reverse proxy logs for POST or PUT requests to role endpoints containing encoded SQL syntax in the roleKey field
- Deploy a web application firewall ruleset that flags SQL injection patterns targeting JSON body parameters
- Enable database query auditing to capture queries originating from PandaX that deviate from expected parameterized templates
- Correlate authentication anomalies and privilege changes with prior requests to the role management API
Monitoring Recommendations
- Forward PandaX application logs and database audit logs to a centralized SIEM for correlation and retention
- Alert on repeated 500-series responses from the role management endpoints, which often indicate injection probing
- Monitor for unauthenticated access attempts to administrative APIs that should require a valid session token
How to Mitigate CVE-2024-2562
Immediate Actions Required
- Restrict network exposure of PandaX administrative endpoints to trusted management networks or VPN users
- Place PandaX deployments behind a web application firewall configured with SQL injection signatures
- Audit the sys_role table for unexpected or malformed entries and review recent role-related changes
- Rotate database credentials used by PandaX if exploitation is suspected
Patch Information
No official vendor patch is referenced in the NVD entry for CVE-2024-2562 at the time of last modification. Operators should monitor the upstream PandaXGO repository for fixes and apply parameterized query refactoring to the InsertRole function if maintaining a private fork.
Workarounds
- Apply input validation that restricts roleKey to an allowlist of alphanumeric characters and underscores before the value reaches the database layer
- Refactor InsertRole to use parameterized queries or the GORM binding API instead of string concatenation
- Run the PandaX database account with least privilege, removing DROP, ALTER, and FILE permissions where possible
- Disable or firewall the role management endpoints until a validated fix is deployed
# Example WAF rule snippet to block SQL syntax in the roleKey field
SecRule ARGS:roleKey "@rx (?i)(union(\s|\+)+select|--|;|/\*|\bor\b\s+1=1)" \
"id:1002562,phase:2,deny,status:403,msg:'CVE-2024-2562 SQLi attempt in roleKey'"
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
