CVE-2011-5200 in DeDeCMS
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple SQL injection vulnerabilities in DeDeCMS, possibly 5.6, allow remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via the id parameter to (1) list.php, (2) members.php, or (3) book.php.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/08/2024
The CVE-2011-5200 vulnerability represents a critical SQL injection flaw affecting DeDeCMS content management systems, potentially version 5.6 and earlier. This vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and sanitization within the application's core components, specifically in three key files that handle user data processing. The flaw allows remote attackers to manipulate database queries by injecting malicious SQL code through the id parameter, which serves as a primary identifier for various content retrieval operations within the CMS framework.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when the application fails to properly escape or validate user-supplied input before incorporating it into SQL query construction. Attackers can craft malicious payloads that, when passed through the id parameter in list.php, members.php, or book.php scripts, manipulate the underlying database operations to execute unauthorized commands. This injection occurs at the database layer where the application connects to its backend storage system, allowing attackers to bypass authentication mechanisms, extract sensitive data, modify database records, or even escalate privileges within the system. The vulnerability specifically targets the parameterized query construction process, where user input directly influences query structure without adequate sanitization measures.
The operational impact of CVE-2011-5200 extends beyond simple data theft, encompassing complete system compromise potential for unauthorized actors. Successful exploitation can result in unauthorized access to sensitive user information, including personal data, credentials, and administrative details stored within the CMS database. Attackers may also gain the ability to modify or delete content, inject malicious code into the website, or establish persistent backdoors for continued access. The remote nature of this vulnerability means that attackers do not require physical access to the system or local network privileges, making it particularly dangerous for web applications exposed to the internet. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-89, which specifically addresses SQL injection flaws, and can be mapped to ATT&CK technique T1190 for exploiting vulnerabilities in web applications.
Organizations affected by this vulnerability should implement immediate mitigations including input validation and sanitization across all user-facing parameters, particularly those used in database query construction. The recommended approach involves implementing proper parameterized queries or prepared statements that separate SQL code from data inputs, ensuring that user-supplied values cannot alter the intended query structure. Additionally, input filtering should be implemented to reject or escape potentially malicious characters such as single quotes, semicolons, and other SQL injection indicators. Network-level protections such as web application firewalls and intrusion detection systems can provide additional layers of defense, while regular security audits and vulnerability assessments should be conducted to identify similar flaws in other application components. System administrators should also implement proper access controls and monitoring mechanisms to detect unusual database activities that may indicate exploitation attempts.