CVE-2011-4960 in SilverStripe
Summary
by MITRE
SQL injection vulnerability in the Folder::findOrMake method in SilverStripe 2.3.x before 2.3.12 and 2.4.x before 2.4.6 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via unspecified vectors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/13/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2011-4960 represents a critical SQL injection flaw within the SilverStripe content management system that affected versions prior to specific security patches. This vulnerability resides in the Folder::findOrMake method, which is a core component responsible for managing folder structures within the CMS. The flaw enables remote attackers to inject malicious SQL commands through unspecified vectors, potentially compromising the entire database infrastructure underlying the CMS. The vulnerability impacts both the 2.3.x series before 2.3.12 and the 2.4.x series before 2.4.6, indicating a widespread issue affecting multiple stable release branches of the platform. This type of vulnerability directly violates the principle of input validation and proper parameterization, creating an avenue for attackers to bypass authentication mechanisms and execute unauthorized database operations.
The technical nature of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-89, which specifically addresses SQL injection flaws in software applications. The flaw occurs when user-supplied input is not properly sanitized or parameterized before being incorporated into SQL query construction within the Folder::findOrMake method. Attackers can exploit this weakness by crafting malicious input that alters the intended SQL query execution path, potentially allowing them to extract sensitive data, modify database records, or even gain administrative access to the CMS. The unspecified vectors suggest that multiple input points within the folder management functionality could serve as attack surfaces, making the vulnerability particularly dangerous as it may be exploitable through various user interaction points. This vulnerability type also corresponds to techniques outlined in the ATT&CK framework under T1071.005 for application layer protocol manipulation and T1566 for phishing with malicious attachments or links that could lead to exploitation.
The operational impact of CVE-2011-4960 extends far beyond simple data theft, as it provides attackers with potential full system compromise capabilities. Successful exploitation could result in complete database exposure, allowing unauthorized users to access sensitive information including user credentials, content management data, and potentially system configuration details. The vulnerability's remote exploitability means that attackers do not require physical access to the system or local network privileges to carry out attacks, making it particularly dangerous for publicly accessible web applications. Organizations running affected SilverStripe versions faced significant risk of data breaches, service disruption, and potential regulatory compliance violations. The impact is compounded by the fact that the vulnerability affects core CMS functionality, meaning that even basic folder management operations could be weaponized by attackers. Additionally, the widespread use of SilverStripe in enterprise environments means that the exploitation of this vulnerability could have cascading effects across multiple organizations depending on their interconnections and shared infrastructure.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2011-4960 primarily focus on immediate patching of affected systems to the recommended security versions. Organizations should prioritize upgrading from vulnerable versions to SilverStripe 2.3.12 or 2.4.6 respectively, as these releases contain the necessary fixes for the SQL injection vulnerability. Beyond patching, implementing proper input validation and parameterized query techniques should be enforced throughout the application codebase to prevent similar vulnerabilities from emerging in the future. Security monitoring should include detection of unusual database query patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts, and network segmentation can help limit the potential impact if exploitation occurs. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to identify other potential SQL injection points within the application. The remediation process should also include reviewing and hardening database permissions to ensure that the CMS application operates with minimal required privileges, following the principle of least privilege as recommended by security frameworks such as NIST SP 800-53. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls and intrusion detection systems to provide additional layers of protection against SQL injection attacks targeting the CMS infrastructure.