CVE-2011-5076 in HDWiki
Summary
by MITRE
SQL injection vulnerability in model/comment.class.php in HDWiki 5.0, 5.1, and possibly other versions allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via the PATH_INFO to index.php. NOTE: some of these details are obtained from third party information.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/14/2019
The CVE-2011-5076 vulnerability represents a critical SQL injection flaw discovered in HDWiki 5.0 and 5.1 content management systems, with potential impacts extending to other versions. This vulnerability resides within the model/comment.class.php file, which processes user comments and interacts with the database backend. The flaw specifically manifests when the application processes PATH_INFO parameters passed to the index.php endpoint, creating an attack vector that allows remote adversaries to manipulate database queries through crafted input.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through manipulation of the PATH_INFO parameter, which is typically used for URL routing in web applications. When HDWiki processes these parameters without proper sanitization or input validation, it directly incorporates user-supplied data into SQL query construction. This design flaw enables attackers to inject malicious SQL syntax that can alter the intended query execution flow, potentially leading to unauthorized data access, modification, or deletion. The vulnerability falls under CWE-89, which specifically addresses SQL injection weaknesses in software applications, and represents a classic example of insufficient input validation in database interaction components.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft, as remote attackers can leverage it to achieve complete database compromise. Successful exploitation could result in unauthorized access to user credentials, personal information, forum content, and other sensitive data stored within the HDWiki system. Attackers might also use this vulnerability to escalate privileges, modify application functionality, or establish persistent access points within the compromised environment. The remote nature of the attack means that exploitation does not require physical access to the system, making it particularly dangerous for web applications that are publicly accessible.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2011-5076 should prioritize immediate patching of affected HDWiki versions, with administrators upgrading to patched releases that implement proper input sanitization and parameterized queries. The implementation of prepared statements and parameterized queries should be enforced throughout the application to prevent direct concatenation of user input into SQL commands. Additionally, input validation should be strengthened at multiple layers including application-level filters, web application firewalls, and database access controls. Security monitoring should be enhanced to detect anomalous database query patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts, while network segmentation and access controls should limit potential lateral movement within compromised environments. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1190, which describes the use of SQL injection to gain unauthorized access to database systems, emphasizing the importance of comprehensive database security measures and proper input handling practices.