CVE-2014-4307 in WebTitan
Summary
by MITRE
SQL injection vulnerability in categories-x.php in WebTitan before 4.04 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via the sortkey parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/01/2025
The SQL injection vulnerability identified as CVE-2014-4307 affects WebTitan versions prior to 4.04 and specifically targets the categories-x.php script. This vulnerability resides within the application's handling of user input through the sortkey parameter, creating a critical security exposure that enables remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands. The flaw represents a classic SQL injection attack vector where malicious input is not properly sanitized or validated before being incorporated into database queries, allowing attackers to manipulate the underlying database operations.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from improper input validation within the categories-x.php file where the sortkey parameter is directly used in SQL query construction without adequate sanitization measures. This allows an attacker to inject malicious SQL code through the parameter, potentially gaining unauthorized access to the database or executing destructive operations. The vulnerability falls under CWE-89 which specifically addresses SQL injection flaws, and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1071.005 for application layer protocol manipulation. The impact extends beyond simple data theft as attackers can potentially escalate privileges, modify database contents, or even gain shell access to the underlying system.
The operational consequences of this vulnerability are severe for organizations utilizing affected WebTitan versions, as remote exploitation does not require authentication credentials, making it particularly dangerous. Attackers can leverage this flaw to extract sensitive information from the database, modify existing records, or insert malicious data that could compromise the integrity of the entire system. The vulnerability affects the application's core functionality by potentially disrupting the categorization and filtering mechanisms that WebTitan relies upon for content filtering and security enforcement. Organizations may experience unauthorized access to filtered content, altered security policies, or complete database compromise, depending on the attacker's objectives and the system's configuration.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2014-4307 should prioritize immediate patching of affected WebTitan installations to version 4.04 or later, which contains the necessary fixes for the SQL injection vulnerability. Additionally, implementing proper input validation and parameterized queries in the affected script would prevent similar issues from occurring. Network segmentation and access controls should be reinforced to limit potential attack surfaces, while regular security assessments should be conducted to identify other potential injection points. Organizations should also implement database activity monitoring and intrusion detection systems to detect anomalous SQL query patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of input validation and proper parameter handling in web applications, as highlighted in industry best practices for secure coding and the OWASP Top Ten security risks.