CVE-2010-4894 in chillyCMS
Summary
by MITRE
SQL injection vulnerability in core/showsite.php in chillyCMS 1.1.3 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via the name parameter. NOTE: some of these details are obtained from third party information.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/10/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2010-4894 represents a critical sql injection flaw in the chillyCMS content management system version 1.1.3. This vulnerability specifically affects the core/showsite.php script which processes user input through the name parameter, creating an avenue for remote attackers to execute malicious sql commands against the underlying database. The flaw stems from insufficient input validation and sanitization within the application's core functionality, allowing attackers to manipulate the sql query execution flow by injecting malicious sql payloads through the vulnerable parameter.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability aligns with common sql injection attack patterns and maps to CWE-89 which categorizes improper neutralization of special elements used in sql commands. The vulnerability occurs when user-supplied data from the name parameter is directly incorporated into sql queries without proper sanitization or parameterization. This creates a scenario where an attacker can craft sql payloads that alter the intended query structure, potentially gaining unauthorized access to sensitive data, modifying database contents, or even executing administrative commands on the database server. The remote nature of this vulnerability means that attackers do not require local system access or authentication to exploit the flaw, making it particularly dangerous in publicly accessible web applications.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft, as successful exploitation could lead to complete database compromise and potential system takeover. Attackers could extract confidential information such as user credentials, personal data, or business-sensitive information stored within the chillyCMS database. The vulnerability also enables privilege escalation attacks where attackers might gain administrative access to the cms system, allowing them to modify content, create new user accounts, or even install malicious code. From an attacker perspective, this vulnerability fits into the attack pattern described in the mitre attack framework under the initial access and execution phases, where the attacker leverages the sql injection to establish a foothold and subsequently escalate privileges.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2010-4894 should prioritize immediate patching of the chillyCMS application to version 1.1.4 or later, which contains the necessary security fixes for this vulnerability. Organizations should implement proper input validation and sanitization measures, ensuring that all user-supplied data undergoes strict filtering before being processed by sql queries. The implementation of prepared statements or parameterized queries should be mandatory for all database interactions to prevent sql injection attacks. Additionally, network-level protections such as web application firewalls and intrusion detection systems can provide additional layers of defense. Regular security audits and penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other applications and ensure that proper security practices are maintained throughout the organization's web infrastructure.