CVE-2010-5037 in SenseSites CommonSense CMS
Summary
by MITRE
SQL injection vulnerability in article.php in SenseSites CommonSense CMS allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via the article_id parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/21/2025
The CVE-2010-5037 vulnerability represents a critical SQL injection flaw within the SenseSites CommonSense CMS platform, specifically affecting the article.php script. This vulnerability exposes the content management system to remote code execution attacks through improper input validation mechanisms. The flaw manifests when the application fails to adequately sanitize user-supplied data passed through the article_id parameter, creating an avenue for malicious actors to manipulate database queries and potentially gain unauthorized access to sensitive information. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-89 which denotes SQL injection weaknesses, making it a well-documented and severe class of security flaws that have been extensively catalogued in the cybersecurity community. According to the ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability would map to the T1190 technique for exploiting vulnerabilities in web applications, specifically targeting the database layer through improper input handling.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability allows attackers to inject malicious SQL code through the article_id parameter, which is typically used to retrieve specific articles from the database. When the application processes this parameter without proper sanitization or parameterized queries, it becomes susceptible to manipulation that can alter the intended database operations. Attackers can construct malicious input strings that, when processed by the vulnerable application, cause the database to execute unintended commands. This could result in data exfiltration, unauthorized data modification, or complete database compromise. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it operates at the database interaction level, where successful exploitation can lead to extensive data breaches and system compromise.
The operational impact of CVE-2010-5037 extends beyond simple data theft to encompass potential full system compromise and business disruption. Organizations utilizing the affected CommonSense CMS version face significant risk of unauthorized access to their content management systems, potentially exposing sensitive user data, administrative credentials, and business-critical information stored within the database. The vulnerability's remote exploitability means that attackers do not require physical access or network proximity to the system, making it particularly attractive for automated attack campaigns. Security professionals should note that this vulnerability aligns with the broader category of web application vulnerabilities that frequently appear in penetration testing scenarios and are commonly exploited in automated scanning operations targeting content management systems.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should include immediate implementation of input validation controls and parameterized queries to prevent SQL injection attacks. Organizations must ensure that all user-supplied input, particularly parameters used in database operations, undergo proper sanitization and validation before processing. The recommended approach involves adopting prepared statements or parameterized queries that separate SQL command structure from data, thereby eliminating the risk of command injection. Additionally, implementing proper access controls, database query logging, and regular security assessments can help detect and prevent exploitation attempts. Security measures should also include network-level protections such as web application firewalls and intrusion detection systems that can identify and block malicious SQL injection attempts targeting this specific vulnerability. Regular updates and patches to the CommonSense CMS platform are essential to address the root cause of the vulnerability and prevent future exploitation attempts.