CVE-2013-4952 in Elemata CMS
Summary
by MITRE
SQL injection vulnerability in functions/global.php in Elemata CMS RC 3.0 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via the id parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/05/2025
The CVE-2013-4952 vulnerability represents a critical sql injection flaw within the Elemata CMS version 3.0 release candidate, specifically affecting the functions/global.php script. This vulnerability exposes the content management system to remote code execution attacks through improper input validation mechanisms. The flaw manifests when the application fails to adequately sanitize or escape user-supplied input data passed through the id parameter, creating an exploitable pathway for malicious actors to manipulate database queries. The vulnerability's classification as remote indicates that attackers can leverage this weakness from external network positions without requiring physical access to the system infrastructure.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from the application's failure to employ proper parameterized queries or input sanitization techniques when processing the id parameter in the global.php functions file. This allows attackers to inject malicious sql payloads that bypass normal authentication and authorization mechanisms. The vulnerability directly maps to CWE-89 which describes sql injection flaws where untrusted data is incorporated into sql commands without proper escaping or parameterization. When an attacker submits specially crafted input through the id parameter, the application concatenates this data directly into sql query strings, enabling arbitrary sql command execution. The attack vector operates through standard http requests that target the vulnerable php script, making it particularly dangerous as it can be exploited through web browsers or automated scanning tools.
The operational impact of CVE-2013-4952 extends beyond simple data theft to encompass complete system compromise and potential data destruction. Successful exploitation allows attackers to perform read operations on sensitive database tables, modify or delete content, and potentially escalate privileges within the application environment. The vulnerability creates persistent access points for attackers to maintain control over compromised systems, enabling long-term surveillance and data exfiltration activities. Organizations running affected Elemata CMS installations face significant risks including unauthorized access to user credentials, confidential business information, and potential regulatory compliance violations. The vulnerability's exploitation can lead to complete system compromise, as attackers can leverage the sql injection to gain deeper access to underlying database systems and potentially move laterally within network environments.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2013-4952 should prioritize immediate patching of the affected Elemata CMS version 3.0 release candidate to address the sql injection vulnerability in functions/global.php. Organizations must implement proper input validation and parameterized query usage throughout their applications to prevent similar vulnerabilities from occurring. The remediation process should include thorough code review of all database interaction points to ensure that user-supplied data is properly escaped or parameterized before being incorporated into sql queries. Security teams should deploy web application firewalls to detect and block malicious sql injection attempts, while also implementing database access controls to limit the privileges of application database accounts. Additionally, regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to identify and remediate similar sql injection vulnerabilities across the entire application portfolio, aligning with industry best practices outlined in the owasp top ten and nist cybersecurity framework standards.