CVE-2011-4946 in e107
Summary
by MITRE
SQL injection vulnerability in e107_admin/users_extended.php in e107 before 0.7.26 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via the user_field parameter.
If you want to get best quality of vulnerability data, you may have to visit VulDB.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/11/2019
The CVE-2011-4946 vulnerability represents a critical sql injection flaw discovered in the e107 content management system version 0.7.25 and earlier. This vulnerability specifically targets the admin/users_extended.php script which handles user management operations within the administrative interface. The flaw arises from inadequate input validation and sanitization of the user_field parameter, creating an exploitable condition that allows remote attackers to inject malicious sql code directly into the database query execution flow.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from improper parameter handling within the e107 codebase where user_field input is directly incorporated into sql queries without proper escaping or parameterization. Attackers can manipulate this parameter to inject malicious sql payloads that bypass authentication mechanisms and execute arbitrary commands on the underlying database server. This vulnerability falls under the common weakness enumeration CWE-89 which specifically addresses sql injection vulnerabilities, and aligns with attack patterns documented in the mitre ATT&CK framework under the technique T1190 for exploitation of remote services.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe as it provides attackers with unauthorized access to sensitive user data, potentially enabling full administrative control over the affected e107 installation. Remote code execution capabilities mean that attackers can manipulate database contents, modify user permissions, extract confidential information, or even establish persistent backdoors within the system. The vulnerability affects not only individual user records but can potentially compromise the entire database infrastructure, making it a critical concern for organizations relying on e107 for their web presence.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2011-4946 require immediate implementation of the official e107 patch version 0.7.26 which addresses the input validation issues in the affected script. System administrators should also implement proper input sanitization measures including parameterized queries, prepared statements, and input validation routines to prevent similar vulnerabilities. Network-level protections such as web application firewalls and intrusion detection systems can provide additional layers of defense against exploitation attempts. Regular security audits and vulnerability assessments should be conducted to identify and remediate similar weaknesses in the application code, while maintaining up-to-date software versions ensures protection against known exploits in the security community.