CVE-2014-1401 in AuraCMS
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple SQL injection vulnerabilities in AuraCMS 2.3 and earlier allow remote authenticated users to execute arbitrary SQL commands via the (1) search parameter to mod/content/content.php or (2) CLIENT_IP, (3) X_FORWARDED_FOR, (4) X_FORWARDED, (5) FORWARDED_FOR, or (6) FORWARDED HTTP header to index.php.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/14/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2014-1401 represents a critical security flaw in AuraCMS versions 2.3 and earlier, specifically targeting SQL injection attack vectors that enable authenticated remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands. This vulnerability exists within the content management system's handling of user input across multiple entry points, creating a significant risk for systems utilizing this software. The flaw demonstrates a fundamental weakness in input validation and query construction practices that directly violates established security principles for database interaction.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from improper sanitization of user-supplied data within the application's core processing functions. Attackers can exploit this weakness through multiple pathways including the search parameter in mod/content/content.php and various HTTP headers such as CLIENT_IP, X_FORWARDED_FOR, X_FORWARDED, FORWARDED_FOR, and FORWARDED in the index.php file. These attack vectors represent different points where user input enters the system without adequate filtering or parameterization, allowing malicious SQL code to be injected into database queries. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-89 which specifically addresses SQL injection flaws, where insufficient input validation enables attackers to manipulate database operations.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft, as it provides attackers with the capability to perform complete database manipulation including data insertion, modification, and deletion. An authenticated user with minimal privileges can leverage this vulnerability to escalate their access level and potentially gain administrative control over the entire content management system. The attack surface is particularly concerning because it operates through HTTP headers which are commonly used for logging and tracking purposes, making the exploitation less obvious and harder to detect. This type of vulnerability directly maps to attack techniques described in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under the 'SQL Injection' tactic, where adversaries leverage application weaknesses to execute malicious SQL commands.
Organizations using affected AuraCMS versions face significant risk of data compromise, system integrity violations, and potential service disruption. The vulnerability can be exploited to extract sensitive information including user credentials, content data, and system configurations that may lead to further lateral movement within compromised networks. Mitigation strategies should include immediate patching of the CMS to a version that addresses these input validation issues, implementation of proper parameterized queries throughout the application code, and deployment of web application firewalls to monitor and filter suspicious SQL patterns. Additionally, regular security audits and input validation reviews should be conducted to prevent similar vulnerabilities from emerging in other components of the system. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of maintaining up-to-date software and implementing defense-in-depth strategies to protect against persistent threats targeting database applications.