CVE-2010-3929 in Evolution
Summary
by MITRE
SQL injection vulnerability in MODx Evolution 1.0.4 and earlier allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via unknown vectors related to AjaxSearch.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/17/2018
The CVE-2010-3929 vulnerability represents a critical SQL injection flaw discovered in MODx Evolution content management system versions 1.0.4 and earlier. This vulnerability specifically affects the AjaxSearch component, which is commonly used for enhancing search functionality within MODx websites. The flaw enables remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands against the underlying database without requiring authentication, potentially leading to complete system compromise and data exfiltration. The vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and sanitization within the AjaxSearch module's parameter handling mechanisms.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through improper handling of user-supplied input within the AjaxSearch functionality. Attackers can manipulate search parameters to inject malicious SQL code that gets executed by the database engine. This type of vulnerability falls under CWE-89, which specifically addresses SQL injection flaws where untrusted data is incorporated into SQL commands without proper validation or escaping. The vulnerability's remote exploitability means that attackers can leverage this flaw from anywhere on the internet, making it particularly dangerous for publicly accessible websites. The attack vector typically involves crafting specially formatted search queries that bypass input filtering mechanisms and directly manipulate the SQL execution flow.
The operational impact of CVE-2010-3929 extends far beyond simple data theft, as successful exploitation can lead to complete database compromise and potential system takeover. Attackers can extract sensitive information including user credentials, personal data, and administrative access details from the compromised database. The vulnerability also enables attackers to modify or delete database contents, potentially corrupting the website's functionality or destroying critical business data. Additionally, the compromise of a single website can provide attackers with a foothold for further attacks within the organization's network infrastructure, especially if the compromised system hosts other sensitive applications or data. This vulnerability directly aligns with ATT&CK technique T1071.004 for application layer protocol usage and T1190 for exploitation of remote services.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2010-3929 should prioritize immediate patching of affected MODx Evolution installations to version 1.0.5 or later, which contains the necessary security fixes for the AjaxSearch component. Organizations should implement comprehensive input validation and sanitization measures, including parameterized queries and prepared statements, to prevent similar vulnerabilities from occurring in custom applications. Network-level protections such as web application firewalls and intrusion detection systems can provide additional defense-in-depth measures. Regular security audits and vulnerability assessments should be conducted to identify and remediate similar issues in other components of the web application stack. The remediation process should also include reviewing and updating all third-party modules and plugins to ensure they meet current security standards, as many of these components may contain similar vulnerabilities that could be exploited to gain access to the system.