CVE-2014-2736 in Revolution
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple SQL injection vulnerabilities in MODX Revolution before 2.2.14 allow remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via the (1) session ID (PHPSESSID) to index.php or remote authenticated users to execute arbitrary SQL commands via the (2) user parameter to connectors/security/message.php or (3) id parameter to manager/index.php.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/12/2026
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2014-2736 represents a critical security flaw in MODX Revolution content management system versions prior to 2.2.14. This vulnerability manifests as multiple SQL injection opportunities that can be exploited by both remote attackers and authenticated users to execute arbitrary SQL commands within the affected system. The flaw stems from inadequate input validation and sanitization mechanisms within the application's handling of user-supplied data, creating pathways for malicious actors to manipulate database queries and potentially gain unauthorized access to sensitive information or system resources.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs through three distinct attack vectors that exploit different entry points within the MODX Revolution framework. The first vector involves manipulation of the session ID parameter known as PHPSESSID when making requests to the index.php endpoint, allowing attackers to inject malicious SQL code that gets executed within the database context. The second vector targets authenticated users who can exploit the user parameter within the connectors/security/message.php file, while the third vector focuses on the id parameter in manager/index.php. These attack vectors demonstrate a pattern of insufficient parameter validation and improper query construction that enables attackers to bypass normal security controls and inject malicious database commands.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft, as successful exploitation can lead to complete system compromise and unauthorized access to sensitive user data, configuration information, and potentially the underlying database server. Attackers can leverage these SQL injection flaws to extract confidential information, modify or delete database records, escalate privileges, and establish persistent access to the compromised system. The vulnerability affects not only the integrity of the database but also the availability and confidentiality of the entire MODX Revolution platform, making it a critical concern for organizations relying on this content management system for their web presence.
Security practitioners should address this vulnerability through immediate patching of MODX Revolution installations to version 2.2.14 or later, which contains the necessary fixes for the SQL injection flaws. Additionally, implementing proper input validation, parameterized queries, and regular security assessments can help prevent similar vulnerabilities from occurring in the future. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls and monitoring systems to detect and prevent exploitation attempts. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-89 which specifically addresses SQL injection flaws, and corresponds to techniques described in the ATT&CK framework under the execution and privilege escalation tactics, emphasizing the need for comprehensive security measures to protect against database-level attacks.