CVE-2014-4736 in Blogengine
Summary
by MITRE
SQL injection vulnerability in E2 before 2.4 (2845) allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via the note-id parameter to @actions/comment-process.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/08/2025
The CVE-2014-4736 vulnerability represents a critical sql injection flaw discovered in the e2 content management system prior to version 2.4 build 2845. This vulnerability specifically targets the note-id parameter within the @actions/comment-process endpoint, creating a significant security risk for affected systems. The flaw enables remote attackers to execute arbitrary sql commands without authentication, potentially allowing full database compromise and unauthorized access to sensitive information. The vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and sanitization of user-supplied data, particularly within the comment processing functionality of the system.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs when the note-id parameter is passed directly into sql queries without proper parameterization or input filtering. Attackers can manipulate this parameter to inject malicious sql code that gets executed by the database engine. The attack vector is entirely remote, meaning an attacker does not require physical access or prior authentication to exploit the vulnerability. This type of flaw falls under the common weakness enumeration CWE-89 which specifically addresses sql injection vulnerabilities. The vulnerability allows for a wide range of malicious activities including data extraction, modification, or deletion, as well as potential privilege escalation within the database environment.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft, as it can lead to complete system compromise and unauthorized access to all data stored within the affected database. Organizations running vulnerable versions of e2 may experience unauthorized data access, data corruption, or even complete system takeover if attackers leverage additional exploitation techniques. The vulnerability affects the core comment processing functionality, which could be exploited to manipulate user comments, access private information, or disrupt normal system operations. This type of attack aligns with attack technique T1071.005 from the attack framework which covers application layer protocol manipulation and T1046 from the attack framework which covers network service scanning and exploitation. The attack can be particularly damaging in environments where the database contains sensitive user information, financial data, or proprietary business information.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should prioritize immediate patching to version 2.4 build 2845 or later, which contains the necessary security fixes. Organizations should implement proper input validation and parameterized queries to prevent similar issues in the future. Database access controls should be reviewed and restricted to minimize the impact of potential exploitation. Regular security audits and penetration testing can help identify similar vulnerabilities in other components of the system. Network segmentation and intrusion detection systems should be deployed to monitor for suspicious sql injection attempts. Additionally, implementing web application firewalls and sql injection detection mechanisms can provide additional layers of protection against this class of attacks. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper input sanitization and the need for robust security practices throughout the software development lifecycle.