CVE-2012-2332 in serendipity
Summary
by MITRE
SQL injection vulnerability in serendipity/serendipity_admin.php in Serendipity before 1.6.1 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via the serendipity[plugin_to_conf] parameter. NOTE: this issue might be resultant from cross-site request forgery (CSRF).
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/08/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2012-2332 represents a critical SQL injection flaw within the Serendipity blog publishing platform, specifically affecting versions prior to 1.6.1. This vulnerability resides in the serendipity_admin.php script and manifests through the serendipity[plugin_to_conf] parameter, which serves as an entry point for malicious input manipulation. The flaw enables remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands against the underlying database, potentially leading to complete system compromise and data exfiltration. The vulnerability's severity is compounded by its accessibility, as it does not require authentication to exploit, making it particularly dangerous for publicly accessible web applications.
Technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through improper input validation and sanitization within the parameter handling mechanism. When the serendipity[plugin_to_conf] parameter is processed without adequate filtering or escaping, malicious SQL payloads can be injected directly into the database query execution chain. This allows attackers to manipulate the database structure, extract sensitive information, modify content, or even escalate privileges within the application environment. The vulnerability operates at the application layer, specifically targeting the database interaction components of the blogging platform, and represents a classic example of insufficient input validation that violates fundamental security principles.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft, encompassing complete system compromise and potential lateral movement within network environments. Successful exploitation could result in unauthorized access to user accounts, modification of blog content, injection of malicious scripts, and potential use as a foothold for further attacks. The vulnerability's potential for cross-site request forgery exploitation suggests that attackers might leverage this weakness in conjunction with CSRF techniques to perform actions on behalf of authenticated users. This dual nature increases the attack surface and makes the vulnerability particularly dangerous in environments where users have administrative privileges.
Security practitioners should implement immediate mitigations including applying the patched version 1.6.1 or later, which includes proper input validation and parameter sanitization. Additionally, implementing proper output escaping mechanisms, employing web application firewalls, and conducting regular security assessments are recommended defensive measures. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-89, which specifically addresses SQL injection flaws, and demonstrates characteristics consistent with ATT&CK technique T1071.004 for application layer protocol manipulation. Organizations should also consider implementing database access controls and monitoring for anomalous SQL query patterns to detect potential exploitation attempts. Regular security updates and patch management processes are essential to prevent similar vulnerabilities from compromising system integrity and user data confidentiality.