CVE-2011-4448 in WikkaWiki
Summary
by MITRE
SQL injection vulnerability in actions/usersettings/usersettings.php in WikkaWiki 1.3.1 and 1.3.2 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via the default_comment_display parameter in an update action.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/26/2025
The CVE-2011-4448 vulnerability represents a critical sql injection flaw within the WikkaWiki content management system affecting versions 1.3.1 and 1.3.2. This vulnerability resides in the actions/usersettings/usersettings.php file and specifically targets the default_comment_display parameter during update operations. The flaw allows remote attackers to inject malicious sql commands through user input that is not properly sanitized or validated before being incorporated into database queries. The vulnerability operates at the application layer and demonstrates a classic sql injection attack vector where user-controllable parameters are directly concatenated into sql statements without adequate input filtering mechanisms.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate parameter validation within the user settings update functionality. When users attempt to modify their comment display preferences through the update action, the default_comment_display parameter is accepted directly from the http request and embedded into sql queries without proper sanitization. This creates an environment where an attacker can manipulate the sql query structure by injecting malicious sql syntax through the parameter value. The vulnerability classification aligns with cwe-89 which specifically addresses sql injection flaws where untrusted data is incorporated into sql commands without proper escaping or parameterization. The attack vector operates over network protocols and requires no special privileges to exploit, making it particularly dangerous for publicly accessible web applications.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft or modification. An attacker could potentially gain unauthorized access to the entire database, execute arbitrary commands on the underlying database server, and escalate privileges within the application environment. The remote execution capability means that attackers do not need physical access to the server or local network connectivity. This vulnerability could lead to complete system compromise, data exfiltration, and potential lateral movement within network environments where wikka wiki instances are deployed. The attack surface is significant as wikka wiki installations often contain sensitive user data, configuration information, and potentially business-critical documentation that could be accessed through this vulnerability.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2011-4448 should prioritize immediate patching of affected wikka wiki versions to the latest stable releases that address the sql injection flaw. Organizations should implement proper input validation and parameterized queries throughout the application codebase to prevent similar vulnerabilities from occurring in other components. The principle of least privilege should be enforced by ensuring that database accounts used by wikka wiki have minimal required permissions and that sql injection prevention mechanisms are implemented at multiple layers. Security monitoring should be enhanced to detect unusual sql query patterns and potential injection attempts, while regular security assessments should be conducted to identify and remediate other sql injection vulnerabilities within the application environment. This vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of input sanitization and proper database query construction as outlined in various security frameworks including the owasp top ten and mitre att&ck framework categories related to command injection and sql injection techniques.