CVE-2011-5175 in Banana Dance
Summary
by MITRE
SQL injection vulnerability in search.php in Banana Dance, possibly B.1.5 and earlier, allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via the category parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/04/2018
The CVE-2011-5175 vulnerability represents a critical sql injection flaw in the Banana Dance content management system, specifically affecting versions B.1.5 and earlier. This vulnerability resides within the search.php script where user input is improperly handled, creating an avenue for malicious actors to execute arbitrary sql commands on the underlying database server. The flaw manifests through the category parameter which serves as the primary attack vector, allowing remote attackers to manipulate sql queries by injecting malicious sql code. The vulnerability aligns with cwe-89, which specifically addresses sql injection weaknesses in software applications. This type of vulnerability falls under the broader category of injection flaws that are consistently ranked among the top security risks by owasp and nist.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when an attacker crafts a malicious payload targeting the category parameter in the search.php endpoint. When the application processes this input without proper sanitization or parameterization, the injected sql code becomes part of the executed query, potentially allowing full database access, data exfiltration, or even system compromise. The impact extends beyond simple data theft as attackers can leverage this vulnerability to escalate privileges, modify database structures, or execute administrative commands on the database server. The remote nature of this attack means that no local system access is required, making it particularly dangerous for web applications exposed to the internet. This vulnerability demonstrates poor input validation practices that violate fundamental secure coding principles and represents a classic example of how inadequate data sanitization can lead to complete system compromise.
The operational impact of CVE-2011-5175 is severe and multifaceted, potentially leading to complete database compromise and unauthorized access to sensitive information. Organizations running affected versions of Banana Dance face risks including data breaches, unauthorized modifications to content management systems, and potential system infiltration that could serve as a foothold for further attacks. The vulnerability creates opportunities for attackers to perform lateral movement within networks and could facilitate more sophisticated attacks such as those outlined in the attack technique matrix under technique id t1071 for application layer protocol manipulation. Security professionals should consider this vulnerability as a potential indicator of broader security weaknesses within the application architecture, particularly regarding input handling and database interaction patterns. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of maintaining up-to-date software versions and implementing proper web application firewalls to detect and prevent such injection attacks.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2011-5175 require immediate action including upgrading to patched versions of Banana Dance software, implementing proper input validation and parameterized queries, and deploying web application firewalls to detect malicious sql injection attempts. Organizations should also implement database access controls, regularly audit database activities, and conduct comprehensive security testing including penetration testing and code reviews. The fix should involve proper parameterization of all sql queries and validation of user inputs to prevent malicious code execution. Security measures should align with nist cybersecurity framework and iso 27001 standards for information security management. Additionally, implementing automated monitoring systems that can detect sql injection patterns and establishing incident response procedures for sql injection attacks will help organizations respond effectively to potential exploitation attempts. Regular security training for developers on secure coding practices and vulnerability awareness is essential to prevent similar issues in future software development cycles.