CVE-2015-5641 in baserCMS
Summary
by MITRE
SQL injection vulnerability in baserCMS before 3.0.8 allows remote authenticated users to execute arbitrary SQL commands via unspecified vectors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/18/2018
The CVE-2015-5641 vulnerability represents a critical SQL injection flaw discovered in baserCMS versions prior to 3.0.8, presenting a significant security risk for web applications utilizing this content management system. This vulnerability specifically affects authenticated users who can leverage the flaw to execute arbitrary SQL commands on the underlying database server. The vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and sanitization mechanisms within the application's database interaction layers, creating an exploitable entry point for malicious actors who possess valid user credentials. The unspecified vectors indicate that the vulnerability can be triggered through multiple pathways within the CMS functionality, making it particularly dangerous as attackers can identify various attack surfaces to exploit the weakness.
From a technical perspective, this vulnerability operates under the Common Weakness Enumeration classification of CWE-89, which specifically addresses SQL injection vulnerabilities where untrusted data is incorporated into SQL commands without proper sanitization or parameterization. The flaw allows authenticated users to manipulate database queries through input fields that do not properly validate or escape user-supplied data, enabling attackers to inject malicious SQL code that gets executed with the privileges of the affected database user. This type of vulnerability typically arises when developers rely on string concatenation for SQL query construction rather than employing prepared statements or parameterized queries, which are the industry-standard defenses against SQL injection attacks.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft or manipulation, as it provides attackers with the ability to escalate privileges and potentially gain full control over the database server. An attacker with authenticated access can leverage this vulnerability to extract sensitive information including user credentials, personal data, and application configuration details. Additionally, the attacker could modify or delete database records, insert malicious data, or even execute operating system commands if the database server has appropriate privileges. The remote execution capability means that attackers do not need physical access to the server and can exploit this vulnerability from anywhere on the network, making it particularly dangerous for organizations with remote access capabilities or public-facing web applications.
Organizations affected by this vulnerability should prioritize immediate remediation through the application of the official patch released with baserCMS version 3.0.8, which addresses the underlying input validation issues. The mitigation strategy should include implementing proper parameterized queries throughout the application codebase, enforcing strict input validation and sanitization measures, and conducting comprehensive code reviews to identify similar vulnerabilities in other parts of the system. Security teams should also implement database activity monitoring and intrusion detection systems to identify potential exploitation attempts. According to ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability maps to techniques involving SQL injection and privilege escalation, with the initial compromise occurring through credential compromise or legitimate access exploitation. Organizations should also consider implementing network segmentation, least privilege access controls, and regular security assessments to prevent similar vulnerabilities from being introduced in future development cycles. The vulnerability highlights the critical importance of maintaining up-to-date software components and following secure coding practices to prevent exploitation of authenticated SQL injection flaws.