CVE-2012-0999 in Lepton
Summary
by MITRE
SQL injection vulnerability in modules/news/rss.php in LEPTON before 1.1.4 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via the group_id parameter.
VulDB is the best source for vulnerability data and more expert information about this specific topic.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/04/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2012-0999 represents a critical SQL injection flaw within the LEPTON content management system version 1.1.3 and earlier. This vulnerability specifically affects the modules/news/rss.php file, which is responsible for generating rss feeds from news articles. The flaw stems from insufficient input validation and sanitization of the group_id parameter, allowing malicious actors to inject arbitrary SQL commands into the database query execution process. The vulnerability exists due to improper handling of user-supplied input that directly influences database query construction without adequate sanitization or parameterization mechanisms.
This SQL injection vulnerability operates at the application layer and can be exploited remotely without requiring authentication or prior access to the system. The group_id parameter serves as the primary attack vector, where an attacker can manipulate its value to inject malicious SQL code that gets executed within the database context. The vulnerability falls under CWE-89 which specifically addresses SQL injection flaws, and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1190 for exploitation of vulnerabilities in web applications. When exploited successfully, this vulnerability enables attackers to perform unauthorized database operations including data extraction, modification, or deletion, potentially leading to complete system compromise.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft, as it provides attackers with the capability to escalate privileges within the database environment. An attacker could leverage this vulnerability to access sensitive user information, modify content, or even gain administrative control over the CMS. The attack surface is particularly concerning as RSS feed generation is a common feature that may be accessed by automated systems, making the vulnerability potentially exploitable through various attack vectors including automated scanners or social engineering campaigns targeting RSS feed consumers. The vulnerability's persistence across multiple versions of LEPTON indicates a fundamental flaw in the application's input handling architecture that requires comprehensive remediation.
The recommended mitigation strategy involves immediate patching of the LEPTON CMS to version 1.1.4 or later, which contains the necessary fixes for input validation. Additionally, implementing proper parameterized queries for all database interactions, enforcing input validation at multiple layers, and establishing robust output encoding mechanisms should be implemented. Network-level protections such as web application firewalls can provide additional defense-in-depth, while regular security audits and penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities. The fix should address the root cause by ensuring that all user-supplied parameters undergo strict sanitization before being incorporated into database queries, aligning with secure coding practices recommended by OWASP and other security frameworks. Organizations should also consider implementing database activity monitoring and intrusion detection systems to identify potential exploitation attempts.