CVE-2014-4034 in ZeroCMS
Summary
by MITRE
SQL injection vulnerability in zero_view_article.php in ZeroCMS 1.0 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via the article_id parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/05/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2014-4034 represents a critical sql injection flaw within the ZeroCMS 1.0 content management system. This vulnerability specifically affects the zero_view_article.php script which processes article_id parameters without proper input validation or sanitization. The flaw allows remote attackers to inject malicious sql commands directly through the article_id parameter, potentially enabling full database compromise and unauthorized access to sensitive information. Such vulnerabilities fall under the common weakness enumeration CWE-89 which categorizes sql injection as a persistent security weakness that occurs when user input is directly incorporated into sql queries without adequate escaping or parameterization. The attack surface is particularly concerning as it enables remote exploitation without requiring authentication, making it an attractive target for automated scanning tools and malicious actors seeking to compromise web applications.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from improper input handling within the application's data processing layer. When the article_id parameter is submitted through the web interface, the application fails to validate or sanitize the input before incorporating it into sql query construction. This creates an environment where attackers can manipulate the sql execution flow by injecting malicious sql syntax or commands. The vulnerability is classified as a remote code execution vector through sql injection, allowing attackers to perform unauthorized database operations including data retrieval, modification, deletion, and potentially system-level commands depending on database permissions. The specific nature of the flaw aligns with the attack pattern described in the attack tree framework where an attacker can exploit insufficient input validation to bypass normal application security controls and gain unauthorized access to backend database resources.
The operational impact of CVE-2014-4034 extends beyond simple data theft to encompass complete system compromise and business disruption. Successful exploitation could result in unauthorized access to user credentials, sensitive business data, and potentially allow attackers to establish persistent access through database backdoors. The vulnerability also poses risks to data integrity as attackers could modify or delete critical content within the cms system. Organizations relying on ZeroCMS 1.0 would face significant compliance and regulatory risks, particularly in industries governed by standards such as pci dss or hipaa where data protection requirements are stringent. The vulnerability's remote exploitability means that attackers can target affected systems from anywhere on the internet without requiring physical access or local network presence, significantly expanding the potential attack surface and making detection more challenging.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability must address both immediate remediation and long-term security hardening measures. The primary fix involves implementing proper input validation and parameterized queries throughout the application codebase, specifically ensuring that all user-supplied parameters including article_id are properly sanitized before database processing. Organizations should implement web application firewalls to detect and block sql injection attempts, while also applying the latest security patches provided by the ZeroCMS development team if available. The remediation process should include comprehensive code reviews to identify similar input handling issues across the entire application, as sql injection vulnerabilities often occur in multiple locations within complex applications. Security teams should also implement database activity monitoring and logging to detect unauthorized database access patterns, while establishing proper access controls and least privilege principles for database accounts. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of following secure coding practices as outlined in owasp top ten and other industry security frameworks, particularly the prevention of sql injection through proper input validation and parameterized queries. Additionally, regular security assessments and penetration testing should be conducted to identify and remediate similar vulnerabilities before they can be exploited by malicious actors.