CVE-2010-4641 in XWiki
Summary
by MITRE
SQL injection vulnerability in XWiki Enterprise before 2.5 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via unspecified vectors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/08/2019
The CVE-2010-4641 vulnerability represents a critical sql injection flaw discovered in xwiki enterprise versions prior to 2.5. this vulnerability falls under the common weakness enumeration category CWE-89 which specifically addresses sql injection vulnerabilities. the flaw enables remote attackers to execute arbitrary sql commands against the database backend, potentially leading to complete system compromise. xwiki enterprise is a popular web-based collaboration platform that stores and manages content in relational databases, making it a prime target for sql injection attacks. the vulnerability exists due to insufficient input validation and improper parameter handling within the application's database interaction components.
the technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through unspecified attack vectors that likely involve manipulation of user input parameters that are directly incorporated into sql queries without proper sanitization. attackers can craft malicious input that, when processed by the vulnerable xwiki application, gets concatenated directly into sql statements executed against the database. this allows for unauthorized data access, modification, or deletion, as well as potential privilege escalation. the vulnerability's remote nature means attackers do not require local system access to exploit it, making it particularly dangerous in web-facing environments. the unspecified vectors suggest that multiple entry points within the application could be exploited, potentially including user profile management, search functionality, or content submission forms.
from an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability poses severe risks to organizations using xwiki enterprise platforms. successful exploitation could result in complete database compromise, leading to data breaches, loss of intellectual property, and potential regulatory violations. the attack surface extends beyond simple data theft to include system integrity compromise, as attackers could potentially gain administrative access to the database or even the underlying operating system. organizations relying on xwiki for collaborative document management, wiki content, or enterprise knowledge bases face significant exposure. the vulnerability also impacts business continuity as unauthorized modifications to content or database structures could disrupt normal operations. additionally, the compromised system could serve as a launching point for further attacks within the network infrastructure.
mitigation strategies for CVE-2010-4641 focus primarily on immediate patching and implementation of proper input validation measures. organizations should upgrade to xwiki enterprise version 2.5 or later where the vulnerability has been addressed through improved parameter handling and input sanitization. in addition to patching, implementing proper web application firewalls and sql injection detection mechanisms provides additional defense layers. input validation should be strengthened across all user-facing interfaces to ensure that database queries properly escape or parameterize all user-supplied data. the principle of least privilege should be enforced for database connections, limiting the potential impact of successful exploitation. regular security assessments and code reviews focusing on sql query construction help identify similar vulnerabilities in custom extensions or modifications. organizations should also implement database activity monitoring to detect anomalous sql execution patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. the attack surface can be reduced by disabling unnecessary database features and limiting direct database access from web applications. compliance with security standards such as owasp top ten and nist cybersecurity framework should guide the implementation of these protective measures, ensuring comprehensive coverage of sql injection vulnerabilities.