CVE-2012-4772 in Subrion CMS
Summary
by MITRE
SQL injection vulnerability in register/ in Subrion CMS before 2.2.3 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via the plan_id parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/15/2024
The CVE-2012-4772 vulnerability represents a critical sql injection flaw within the Subrion CMS platform affecting versions prior to 2.2.3. This vulnerability specifically resides within the register/ component of the application and demonstrates a classic security oversight where user input is not properly sanitized before being incorporated into database queries. The flaw manifests through the plan_id parameter which is susceptible to malicious input manipulation, allowing unauthorized actors to inject arbitrary sql commands directly into the backend database system.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from improper input validation and sanitization practices within the Subrion CMS codebase. When the plan_id parameter is processed during user registration, the application fails to adequately escape or filter special sql characters and commands that could alter the intended query execution flow. This allows attackers to construct malicious sql payloads that bypass normal authentication and authorization mechanisms, potentially gaining access to sensitive database information or executing destructive operations. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-89 which specifically addresses sql injection flaws where untrusted data is directly incorporated into sql command strings without proper sanitization.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability creates significant risks for organizations utilizing affected Subrion CMS versions. Remote attackers can exploit this flaw to extract confidential user data, modify database records, or even escalate privileges within the application environment. The attack surface is particularly concerning given that the vulnerability exists within the registration component, which represents a common entry point for malicious actors seeking to compromise web applications. Successful exploitation could lead to complete database compromise, user credential theft, and potential lateral movement within network environments where the affected cms system operates.
The remediation strategy for CVE-2012-4772 requires immediate application of the official security patch released by Subrion CMS developers for versions 2.2.3 and later. Organizations should implement proper input validation mechanisms that sanitize all user-provided data before processing, particularly focusing on sql injection prevention techniques such as parameterized queries or prepared statements. Additionally, network-level security controls including web application firewalls and intrusion detection systems can provide additional layers of protection against exploitation attempts. Security teams should also conduct comprehensive vulnerability assessments of their web applications to identify similar sql injection vulnerabilities within their infrastructure and ensure adherence to secure coding practices that prevent such flaws from occurring in future development cycles. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of maintaining up-to-date security patches and implementing defense-in-depth strategies as recommended by the mitre ATT&CK framework for preventing and detecting web application attacks.