CVE-2012-3350 in Webmatic
Summary
by MITRE
SQL injection vulnerability in index.php in Webmatic 3.1.1 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via the Referer HTTP header.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/01/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2012-3350 represents a critical SQL injection flaw within the Webmatic content management system version 3.1.1. This security weakness specifically targets the index.php script and demonstrates how improper input validation can lead to severe consequences for web applications. The vulnerability manifests through the Referer HTTP header, which is commonly used by web browsers to indicate the address of the page that linked to the resource being requested. Attackers can exploit this flaw by crafting malicious Referer values that contain SQL commands, thereby bypassing normal authentication mechanisms and gaining unauthorized access to the underlying database system.
This vulnerability falls under the Common Weakness Enumeration category CWE-89, which specifically addresses SQL injection weaknesses in software applications. The flaw operates by directly incorporating user-supplied data from the Referer header into SQL query construction without proper sanitization or parameterization. When the web application processes this input, the malicious SQL commands become part of the executed query, potentially allowing attackers to extract sensitive data, modify database records, or even execute administrative commands on the database server. The remote nature of this attack means that exploitation can occur from any location without requiring physical access to the target system.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft, as it can enable full database compromise and potentially lead to complete system takeover. An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability could access user credentials, personal information, and other sensitive data stored within the Webmatic application's database. The attack vector through the Referer header is particularly concerning because it can be triggered simply by visiting a malicious website or clicking on a compromised link, making it difficult to defend against through traditional network monitoring. This vulnerability also represents a significant risk to web application integrity and can be leveraged to establish persistent access to the compromised system.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2012-3350 should focus on implementing proper input validation and parameterized queries to prevent SQL injection attacks. Organizations should immediately apply patches or updates provided by the Webmatic vendor to address this vulnerability. Additionally, implementing web application firewalls and intrusion detection systems can help monitor for suspicious Referer header values. The principle of least privilege should be enforced by ensuring database accounts used by the web application have minimal necessary permissions. Security monitoring should include regular scanning for SQL injection vulnerabilities and implementing proper logging of all database access attempts. Organizations should also consider implementing proper HTTP header sanitization and validation mechanisms to prevent malicious input from reaching the application's database layer. This vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of input validation and proper database security practices as outlined in the OWASP Top Ten and NIST cybersecurity frameworks.