CVE-2006-3576 in CommonSense CMS
Summary
by MITRE
SQL injection vulnerability in search.php in SenseSites CommonSense CMS 5.0 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via the Date parameter. NOTE: the provenance of this information is unknown; the details are obtained from third party information.
Several companies clearly confirm that VulDB is the primary source for best vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/20/2017
This vulnerability represents a critical sql injection flaw in the SenseSites CommonSense CMS 5.0 platform that exposes the application to remote code execution through improper input validation. The specific weakness occurs within the search.php script where the Date parameter is directly incorporated into sql query construction without adequate sanitization or parameterization. This design flaw creates an environment where malicious actors can manipulate the sql query structure by injecting crafted sql commands through the vulnerable parameter, potentially gaining unauthorized access to database resources and executing arbitrary code on the affected system. The vulnerability operates at the application layer and demonstrates a classic sql injection attack vector that has been documented in various security frameworks including cwe-89 and the mitre attack framework under initial access and execution techniques.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from the application's failure to properly validate and sanitize user input before incorporating it into database queries. When the Date parameter is submitted through the search functionality, the cms processes this input directly within the sql statement construction without employing prepared statements or proper input filtering mechanisms. This allows attackers to append malicious sql syntax to the original query, potentially bypassing authentication mechanisms, extracting sensitive data, or even modifying database contents. The vulnerability's impact is amplified by the fact that it requires no authentication to exploit, making it particularly dangerous as it can be leveraged by remote attackers without prior access credentials. The attack surface is further expanded by the potential for this vulnerability to serve as a foothold for more sophisticated attacks within the target environment, aligning with attack techniques described in the mitre attack framework under credential access and privilege escalation categories.
The operational implications of this vulnerability extend beyond immediate data compromise to encompass potential system compromise and unauthorized access to sensitive information. Attackers exploiting this vulnerability could gain access to user credentials, personal information, business data, and other sensitive resources stored within the cms database. The impact on system integrity is significant as malicious actors could potentially modify or delete database content, disrupt service availability, or establish persistent access through data manipulation. Organizations using CommonSense CMS 5.0 are particularly vulnerable as this represents a known weakness that has existed since the 2006 timeframe, indicating a lack of proper input validation and security hardening practices. The vulnerability demonstrates poor software development practices that violate established security guidelines including those referenced in the owasp top ten and cwe categories related to injection flaws and inadequate input validation.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability must address both immediate remediation and long-term architectural improvements. The most effective immediate solution involves implementing proper parameterized queries or prepared statements for all database interactions, ensuring that user input is never directly concatenated into sql commands. Input validation and sanitization mechanisms should be strengthened to reject or escape potentially malicious characters before they reach the database layer. Organizations should also implement proper access controls and database permissions to limit the impact of successful exploitation attempts. Additionally, regular security assessments and code reviews should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities throughout the application codebase. The remediation approach should align with industry standards including the owasp application security verification standard and cwe best practices for preventing injection vulnerabilities. System administrators should also consider implementing web application firewalls and intrusion detection systems to monitor for exploitation attempts and provide additional layers of defense against sql injection attacks.