CVE-2014-3810 in Dolphin
Summary
by MITRE
SQL injection vulnerability in administration/profiles.php in BoonEx Dolphin 7.1.4 and earlier allows remote authenticated administrators to execute arbitrary SQL commands via the members[] parameter. NOTE: this can be exploited by remote attackers by leveraging CVE-2014-4333.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/24/2022
The CVE-2014-3810 vulnerability represents a critical SQL injection flaw within the BoonEx Dolphin content management system version 7.1.4 and earlier. This vulnerability specifically targets the administration/profiles.php component, which serves as a management interface for user profile configurations. The flaw exists in the handling of the members[] parameter, which is processed without adequate input sanitization or validation. This allows authenticated administrators with sufficient privileges to inject malicious SQL commands directly into the database query execution pipeline. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it operates within the administrative context, meaning that an attacker who has already gained administrative access could leverage this flaw to escalate their privileges or execute arbitrary database operations.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability follows a well-established SQL injection pattern where user-supplied input is directly concatenated into SQL queries without proper escaping or parameterization. When the members[] parameter is processed in the administration/profiles.php script, the system fails to implement proper input validation mechanisms that would normally prevent malicious SQL syntax from being executed. This flaw aligns with CWE-89, which categorizes SQL injection vulnerabilities as a direct result of insufficient input validation and improper query construction. The vulnerability's exploitation requires authentication, but the chaining with CVE-2014-4333 demonstrates how initial access can be gained through other means, making this a particularly dangerous combination. The ATT&CK framework would classify this as a command and control technique under the execution phase, where an attacker can manipulate database operations to achieve unauthorized access or data manipulation.
The operational impact of CVE-2014-3810 extends beyond simple data theft or modification. An attacker with administrative privileges could potentially extract sensitive user information, modify user accounts, escalate privileges to root access, or even execute system-level commands through database exploitation. The vulnerability creates a persistent backdoor opportunity since database operations often have elevated privileges compared to regular application functions. This allows for long-term access and data exfiltration without detection. Organizations using BoonEx Dolphin 7.1.4 or earlier face significant risk of data compromise, system integrity violations, and potential regulatory compliance violations. The vulnerability's chaining with CVE-2014-4333 creates a complete attack chain where initial reconnaissance and access can lead to full system compromise through database manipulation.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2014-3810 must focus on immediate patching of the BoonEx Dolphin platform to version 7.1.5 or later, which contains the necessary security fixes for this vulnerability. Organizations should implement comprehensive input validation and parameterized queries throughout their applications, particularly in administrative interfaces where sensitive operations occur. The principle of least privilege should be enforced, limiting administrative access to only necessary personnel and implementing multi-factor authentication for administrative accounts. Network segmentation and monitoring of database access patterns can help detect anomalous behavior that might indicate exploitation attempts. Security teams should also conduct regular penetration testing and vulnerability assessments to identify similar injection flaws in other applications and systems. Additionally, implementing web application firewalls and database activity monitoring solutions can provide additional layers of protection against SQL injection attacks. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical importance of proper input validation and the need for continuous security updates in web applications.