CVE-2014-9464 in Microweber
Summary
by MITRE
SQL injection vulnerability in Category.php in Microweber CMS 0.95 before 20141209 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via the category parameter when displaying a category, related to the $parent_id variable.
Be aware that VulDB is the high quality source for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/18/2025
The CVE-2014-9464 vulnerability represents a critical SQL injection flaw discovered in the Microweber content management system version 0.95 and earlier. This vulnerability specifically affects the Category.php script which handles category display functionality within the CMS. The flaw arises from insufficient input validation and sanitization of the category parameter, which is processed through the $parent_id variable. Attackers can exploit this weakness by crafting malicious SQL commands within the category parameter, enabling them to execute arbitrary database operations remotely without authentication. The vulnerability demonstrates a classic lack of proper parameter binding or input sanitization techniques that are fundamental to preventing SQL injection attacks.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from the CMS's failure to properly escape or validate user-supplied input before incorporating it into SQL query construction. When the category parameter is passed to Category.php, the application directly concatenates this input into database queries without appropriate sanitization measures. This creates an environment where malicious actors can inject SQL syntax and commands that bypass normal access controls and authentication mechanisms. The $parent_id variable serves as the primary vector for this attack, as it receives the unvalidated category identifier from user input. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-89, which specifically addresses SQL injection flaws in software applications, and represents a common weakness pattern found in web applications that fail to properly handle user input in database operations.
The operational impact of CVE-2014-9464 extends far beyond simple data theft, as successful exploitation can lead to complete database compromise and potential system takeover. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to extract sensitive information including user credentials, database schemas, and application data. The remote execution capability means that threat actors do not require physical access to the system or local network privileges to exploit this weakness. Additionally, the vulnerability could enable attackers to modify or delete database records, potentially causing data corruption or complete service disruption. Organizations running affected versions of Microweber CMS face significant risk of unauthorized access, data breaches, and potential regulatory compliance violations. This vulnerability particularly affects web applications that handle user-generated content or category-based navigation systems, making it relevant to a wide range of content management and e-commerce platforms.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2014-9464 require immediate implementation of proper input validation and parameterized queries. Organizations should upgrade to Microweber version 20141209 or later, which contains the necessary patches to address this vulnerability. System administrators should implement input sanitization measures that validate and filter all user-supplied parameters before processing them in database operations. The recommended approach involves using prepared statements or parameterized queries that separate SQL command structure from data values, preventing malicious input from altering query execution. Network-level protections such as web application firewalls and intrusion detection systems can provide additional defense-in-depth measures, though these should complement rather than replace proper code-level fixes. Security monitoring should include detection of unusual database access patterns and query execution that might indicate exploitation attempts. Organizations should also conduct comprehensive security assessments of their web applications to identify similar vulnerabilities in other components and ensure proper implementation of secure coding practices aligned with industry standards such as those recommended in the OWASP Top Ten and NIST Cybersecurity Framework.