CVE-2008-5122 in Cms4000.net
Summary
by MITRE
SQL injection vulnerability in WorkArea/ContentRatingGraph.aspx in Ektron CMS400.NET 7.5.2 and earlier allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via the res parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/03/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2008-5122 represents a critical SQL injection flaw within the Ektron CMS400.NET content management system version 7.5.2 and earlier. This vulnerability specifically affects the WorkArea/ContentRatingGraph.aspx page component, which processes user input through the res parameter. The flaw arises from insufficient input validation and sanitization mechanisms that fail to properly escape or filter malicious SQL commands embedded within the parameter value. This allows remote attackers to manipulate the underlying database queries by injecting crafted SQL syntax that bypasses normal authentication and authorization controls. The vulnerability exposes the system to unauthorized data access, modification, or deletion operations that can compromise the entire content management infrastructure.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from the application's failure to employ proper parameterized queries or input sanitization techniques when processing the res parameter. According to CWE-89, this represents a classic SQL injection vulnerability where user-controllable input directly influences database query construction without adequate sanitization. The flaw operates at the application layer and can be exploited through HTTP requests that include malicious SQL payloads within the res parameter. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to perform unauthorized database operations including but not limited to data extraction, schema enumeration, privilege escalation, and potentially full system compromise. The vulnerability's remote exploitability means that attackers do not require local system access or authentication credentials to initiate the attack vector.
The operational impact of CVE-2008-5122 extends beyond simple data theft to encompass complete system compromise and business disruption. Organizations running affected Ektron CMS versions face significant risks including unauthorized access to sensitive content, user credentials, and business-critical data stored within the database. The vulnerability can enable attackers to escalate privileges within the CMS environment, potentially leading to full administrative control over the content management system. This compromises the integrity and availability of the organization's digital assets, with potential downstream effects on website functionality, user trust, and regulatory compliance. The vulnerability also creates opportunities for attackers to establish persistent backdoors or deploy additional malware within the compromised environment.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate implementation of multiple defensive measures aligned with industry best practices. Organizations should prioritize applying the vendor-provided security patches or upgrades to eliminate the vulnerability entirely. In the interim, input validation controls should be implemented at the application level to sanitize all user-supplied data, particularly parameters like res that interact with database queries. The implementation of proper parameterized queries or prepared statements should be enforced throughout the application codebase to prevent SQL injection exploitation. Network-level protections including web application firewalls and intrusion detection systems should be configured to monitor and block suspicious SQL injection patterns. Additionally, security monitoring should be enhanced to detect anomalous database access patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts. According to ATT&CK framework tactic TA0006 (Credential Access) and technique T1190 (Exploit Public-Facing Application), this vulnerability aligns with common attack patterns targeting content management systems and represents a significant threat vector requiring immediate remediation.