CVE-2015-7346 in ZCMS
Summary
by MITRE
SQL injection vulnerability in ZCMS 1.1.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/30/2024
The CVE-2015-7346 vulnerability represents a critical SQL injection flaw discovered in ZCMS 1.1 content management system. This vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation mechanisms within the application's database interaction components, allowing malicious actors to inject arbitrary SQL commands through user-controllable parameters. The flaw specifically affects the way the system processes user inputs when constructing database queries, creating an exploitable pathway for unauthorized data access and manipulation. Such vulnerabilities typically arise when developers fail to properly sanitize or escape user-supplied data before incorporating it into SQL query structures, leaving the application susceptible to malicious input injection attacks.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability enables attackers to bypass authentication mechanisms and execute unauthorized database operations with elevated privileges. When user input is directly concatenated into SQL statements without proper sanitization, an attacker can manipulate the query structure by injecting malicious SQL fragments through parameters such as login credentials, search fields, or URL parameters. This allows for data extraction, modification, or deletion of database contents, potentially leading to complete system compromise. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-89 which categorizes improper neutralization of special elements used in SQL commands as a fundamental weakness in software security design, making it particularly dangerous in web applications that handle sensitive user data.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft, as it can enable attackers to escalate privileges, access administrative functions, and potentially establish persistent backdoors within the affected system. Organizations using ZCMS 1.1 may face significant consequences including data breaches, regulatory compliance violations, and reputational damage when such vulnerabilities are exploited. The vulnerability's exploitation typically requires minimal technical expertise, making it attractive to threat actors ranging from script kiddies to organized cybercriminal groups. Attackers can leverage this flaw to perform unauthorized database queries, extract sensitive information such as user credentials, personal data, and system configurations, or even modify database contents to disrupt service availability or compromise system integrity.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2015-7346 should prioritize immediate patching of the affected ZCMS 1.1 installation with the vendor-provided security update. Organizations should implement proper input validation and parameterized query mechanisms throughout their application codebase to prevent similar vulnerabilities from occurring in other components. The implementation of web application firewalls and intrusion detection systems can provide additional layers of protection against exploitation attempts. Security teams should conduct comprehensive vulnerability assessments to identify other potential SQL injection vulnerabilities within their systems, as this flaw often indicates broader security design issues. Additionally, regular security training for developers on secure coding practices and adherence to established security frameworks such as those recommended by the OWASP Top Ten project can help prevent future occurrences of such critical vulnerabilities in the application development lifecycle.