CVE-2015-1576 in U5cms
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple SQL injection vulnerabilities in u5CMS before 3.9.4 allow remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via the name parameter to (1) copy2.php, (2) localize.php, (3) metai.php, (4) nc.php, (5) new2.php, or (6) rename2.php in u5admin/; (7) c parameter to u5admin/editor.php; (8) typ parameter to u5admin/meta2.php; or (9) newname parameter to u5admin/rename2.php.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/04/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2015-1576 represents a critical SQL injection flaw in u5CMS versions prior to 3.9.4, affecting multiple administrative scripts within the content management system. This vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and sanitization of user-supplied data, specifically targeting parameters used in various administrative functions. The affected scripts include copy2.php, localize.php, metai.php, nc.php, new2.php, rename2.php within the u5admin directory, as well as editor.php and meta2.php with their respective parameter inputs. The vulnerability allows remote attackers to inject malicious SQL commands through carefully crafted input, bypassing normal authentication and authorization mechanisms that protect the CMS administration interface.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability manifests through improper handling of user input in database queries, where the application directly incorporates user-supplied parameters into SQL statements without adequate sanitization or parameterization. When an attacker submits malicious input through any of the vulnerable parameters, the application processes this data without proper validation, leading to the execution of unintended SQL commands against the underlying database. This flaw operates under CWE-89 which classifies SQL injection as a weakness where untrusted data is used to construct SQL queries without proper input validation or escaping mechanisms. The vulnerability affects the database layer directly, potentially allowing attackers to extract sensitive information, modify database contents, or even escalate privileges within the application environment.
The operational impact of CVE-2015-1576 extends beyond simple data theft, as it provides attackers with potential full administrative control over the affected CMS installation. Remote exploitation enables attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands that could result in data exfiltration, database corruption, or unauthorized access to sensitive user information. The vulnerability's widespread nature across multiple administrative scripts increases the attack surface and reduces the effectiveness of traditional perimeter defenses, as attackers can target any of the nine identified vulnerable endpoints. This weakness directly maps to several ATT&CK techniques including T1190 for exploitation of remote services and T1078 for valid accounts usage, as successful exploitation can lead to persistent access and privilege escalation within the application environment. The vulnerability's remote nature makes it particularly dangerous as it can be exploited from anywhere on the internet without requiring physical access to the target system.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate patching of u5CMS installations to version 3.9.4 or later, which contains the necessary input validation and sanitization fixes. Organizations should implement comprehensive input validation at multiple layers, including application-level parameter sanitization and the adoption of prepared statements or parameterized queries to prevent SQL injection. Network segmentation and access control measures should be enforced to limit administrative access to trusted networks, while regular security audits and vulnerability assessments should be conducted to identify similar weaknesses in other applications. Additionally, implementing web application firewalls and database activity monitoring can provide additional detection capabilities for suspicious SQL injection attempts, while regular security training for developers can help prevent similar vulnerabilities in future software development cycles. The remediation process should also include thorough testing of patched applications to ensure that the fixes do not introduce regressions or compatibility issues within the CMS functionality.