CVE-2010-4897 in BlueCMS
Summary
by MITRE
SQL injection vulnerability in comment.php in BlueCMS 1.6 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via the X-Forwarded-For HTTP header in a send action.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/12/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2010-4897 represents a critical sql injection flaw within the BlueCMS 1.6 content management system that exposes the application to remote code execution risks. This vulnerability specifically targets the comment.php script which processes user comments and fails to properly sanitize input data from the X-Forwarded-For HTTP header during the send action. The X-Forwarded-For header is commonly used by web applications to identify the original IP address of a client connecting through an HTTP proxy or load balancer, making it a legitimate part of the request flow that developers often overlook in their security validation processes. The flaw allows attackers to inject malicious sql commands directly through this header, bypassing normal input validation mechanisms that would typically protect against such attacks.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from improper input sanitization and parameter binding practices within the BlueCMS codebase. When the comment.php script processes the send action, it directly incorporates the X-Forwarded-For header value into sql query construction without adequate escaping or parameterization. This represents a classic sql injection vulnerability categorized under CWE-89, which defines sql injection as the insertion of malicious sql code into input fields for execution by the database. The attack vector leverages the fact that the application trusts the X-Forwarded-For header as a legitimate source of data, failing to implement proper input validation or sanitization routines. This allows an attacker to craft malicious header values that when processed by the vulnerable sql query can manipulate database operations, potentially leading to unauthorized data access, modification, or deletion.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data compromise to encompass full system compromise potential. Remote attackers can exploit this flaw to execute arbitrary sql commands against the underlying database, potentially gaining access to user credentials, content management data, and other sensitive information stored within the cms. The vulnerability's remote nature means that attackers do not require physical access or local system privileges to exploit the flaw, making it particularly dangerous for publicly accessible web applications. Depending on the database permissions and the underlying system architecture, successful exploitation could lead to complete database takeover, allowing attackers to read, modify, or delete any data within the database. The vulnerability also enables potential privilege escalation attacks where attackers might gain elevated access rights within the cms system, potentially leading to full administrative control over the content management platform.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2010-4897 should focus on implementing proper input validation and parameterized query execution throughout the BlueCMS application. The most effective immediate fix involves implementing proper sanitization of all input data, particularly headers like X-Forwarded-For, before incorporating them into sql queries. This approach aligns with the ATT&CK framework's defense-in-depth principles, specifically targeting the execution and persistence phases where malicious code injection occurs. Organizations should implement prepared statements or parameterized queries to prevent sql injection regardless of input source, ensuring that all user-supplied data is properly escaped or parameterized before database interaction. Additionally, implementing proper input validation at the application level, including header validation, can prevent malicious data from reaching the database layer. Network-level mitigations such as web application firewalls can also provide additional protection by filtering suspicious header values, though these should complement rather than replace proper application-level fixes. Regular security assessments and code reviews should be implemented to identify similar vulnerabilities in other parts of the application, as this flaw demonstrates poor input handling practices that may exist elsewhere in the codebase. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of following secure coding practices and adhering to established security standards like those defined by the owasp foundation to prevent such injection attacks from occurring in the first place.