CVE-2014-3446 in Continuity CMS
Summary
by MITRE
SQL injection vulnerability in wcm/system/pages/admin/getnode.aspx in BSS Continuity CMS 4.2.22640.0 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via the nodeid parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/28/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2014-3446 represents a critical SQL injection flaw within the BSS Continuity CMS version 4.2.22640.0, specifically affecting the wcm/system/pages/admin/getnode.aspx component. This vulnerability resides in the administrative interface of the content management system, making it particularly dangerous as it provides attackers with potential access to sensitive administrative functions. The flaw manifests through the improper handling of the nodeid parameter, which is processed without adequate input validation or sanitization measures. The affected component operates within the web content management system's backend administrative framework, where it retrieves and displays node information for content management purposes. This particular endpoint serves as a gateway for administrators to access and manipulate hierarchical content structures within the CMS, making it a prime target for exploitation.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from the application's failure to properly sanitize user-supplied input before incorporating it into SQL query constructions. When the nodeid parameter is submitted through the web interface, the system directly concatenates this input into database queries without appropriate escaping or parameterization mechanisms. This design flaw enables attackers to inject malicious SQL code through carefully crafted nodeid values, potentially allowing them to manipulate the underlying database through UNION-based or boolean-based injection techniques. The vulnerability classifies under CWE-89 SQL Injection, which is categorized as a high-risk weakness in the Common Weakness Enumeration framework. The attack vector is remote and requires no authentication for exploitation, making it particularly dangerous as it can be leveraged by attackers from outside the network perimeter. The vulnerability affects the database layer directly, bypassing application-level controls and potentially allowing full database compromise.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft, as it provides attackers with the capability to execute arbitrary SQL commands on the underlying database server. Successful exploitation could enable attackers to extract sensitive information including user credentials, content management data, and potentially system configuration details. The vulnerability also opens the door to privilege escalation attacks, where attackers might gain administrative access to the CMS itself. Given that this affects the administrative interface of a content management system, the potential for data corruption, unauthorized content modification, and service disruption is significant. The impact is further amplified by the fact that this vulnerability affects a widely used CMS platform, potentially exposing multiple organizations to similar risks. The vulnerability's classification under the MITRE ATT&CK framework would fall under T1071.005 Application Layer Protocol: Web Protocols, specifically targeting web application interfaces for privilege escalation and data exfiltration.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate implementation of input validation and parameterized query approaches to prevent SQL injection attacks. Organizations should implement proper input sanitization measures, including the use of prepared statements and parameterized queries to ensure that user-supplied data cannot be interpreted as SQL commands. The CMS should be updated to a patched version that addresses this specific vulnerability, as the vendor likely released a security patch to resolve the issue. Network segmentation and access controls should be implemented to limit access to administrative interfaces, reducing the attack surface. Regular security assessments and code reviews should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other components of the application. Additionally, implementing web application firewalls and database activity monitoring systems can provide additional layers of protection against exploitation attempts. The vulnerability highlights the importance of following secure coding practices and adhering to the principle of least privilege when designing web applications, particularly those handling sensitive administrative functions.