CVE-2011-10003 in XpressEngine
Summary
by MITRE • 02/07/2023
A vulnerability was found in XpressEngine up to 1.4.4. It has been rated as critical. This issue affects some unknown processing of the component Update Query Handler. The manipulation leads to sql injection. Upgrading to version 1.4.5 is able to address this issue. The name of the patch is c6e94449f21256d6362450b29c7847305e756ad5. It is recommended to upgrade the affected component. The associated identifier of this vulnerability is VDB-220247.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/05/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2011-10003 represents a critical sql injection flaw within XpressEngine content management system versions up to 1.4.4. This vulnerability resides within the Update Query Handler component, which processes database update operations that are essential for maintaining website content and user data. The flaw allows attackers to manipulate database queries through improper input validation, potentially enabling unauthorized access to sensitive information and system compromise. The vulnerability's critical rating stems from its potential to allow full database access and arbitrary code execution when exploited properly.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs when the Update Query Handler fails to properly sanitize user inputs before incorporating them into sql statements. This processing flaw creates an environment where malicious actors can inject specially crafted sql payloads that bypass normal security controls. The vulnerability specifically targets the query construction logic that handles update operations, making it particularly dangerous as it can affect any database modification functionality within the application. Attackers can exploit this weakness to execute unauthorized database commands, potentially leading to data theft, modification, or complete system takeover. The vulnerability's classification aligns with CWE-89 which specifically addresses sql injection vulnerabilities, and it maps to attack patterns documented in the ATT&CK framework under the Database Operations category.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft to encompass complete system compromise and potential data destruction. Organizations running affected XpressEngine versions face significant risk of unauthorized access to user databases, including personal information, login credentials, and business data. The vulnerability's exploitation can result in persistent backdoor access, data exfiltration, and disruption of services. Given that XpressEngine was widely used for website content management, the potential attack surface is substantial, with numerous websites potentially exposed to this vulnerability. The risk is particularly elevated for organizations that do not maintain current security monitoring and patch management procedures.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2011-10003 center exclusively on upgrading to XpressEngine version 1.4.5, which contains the necessary security patch identified by the commit hash c6e94449f21256d6362450b29c7847305e756ad5. This upgrade addresses the root cause by implementing proper input sanitization and parameterized query construction within the Update Query Handler component. Organizations should also implement additional defensive measures including database access controls, input validation at multiple layers, and regular security assessments. Network segmentation and monitoring should be enhanced to detect potential exploitation attempts, while security teams should conduct thorough vulnerability assessments of all XpressEngine installations to ensure complete remediation. The patch addresses the specific CWE-89 vulnerability through proper sql query parameterization and input validation controls, aligning with industry best practices for preventing sql injection attacks.