CVE-2016-2355 in dotCMS
Summary
by MITRE
SQL injection vulnerability in the REST API in dotCMS before 3.3.2 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via the stName parameter to api/content/save/1.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/12/2022
The CVE-2016-2355 vulnerability represents a critical SQL injection flaw within the REST API of dotCMS content management system versions prior to 3.3.2. This vulnerability specifically affects the api/content/save/1 endpoint where the stName parameter is processed without adequate input validation or sanitization. The flaw enables remote attackers to inject malicious SQL commands directly into the database query execution flow, potentially compromising the entire backend database infrastructure. This type of vulnerability falls under the CWE-89 category of SQL Injection, which is consistently ranked among the top cybersecurity risks by OWASP and NIST.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when an attacker submits a specially crafted stName parameter value that contains malicious SQL payload to the affected API endpoint. The dotCMS application fails to properly escape or parameterize the input before incorporating it into the SQL query structure, creating an attack surface where database commands can be executed with the privileges of the application's database user. This vulnerability specifically targets the content management functionality of dotCMS, allowing attackers to manipulate content, extract sensitive data, modify database structures, or potentially escalate privileges within the system. The attack vector is entirely remote, requiring no local system access or authentication credentials beyond what might be needed for API access.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft or modification. An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability could gain unauthorized access to sensitive content, user credentials, system configurations, and potentially establish persistent backdoors within the CMS infrastructure. The implications are particularly severe for organizations relying on dotCMS for critical content management operations, as the compromise of the database layer can lead to complete system takeover. This vulnerability also aligns with ATT&CK technique T1190 for exploiting vulnerabilities in remote services and T1078 for gaining access through valid accounts, as it allows unauthorized database access that can be leveraged for further lateral movement within network environments.
Organizations should immediately upgrade to dotCMS version 3.3.2 or later to remediate this vulnerability, as no effective workarounds exist for this specific flaw. The mitigation strategy should include comprehensive input validation, parameterized queries, and proper database access controls. Security teams should implement network monitoring to detect suspicious API access patterns and conduct regular vulnerability assessments of their CMS infrastructure. Additionally, organizations should review their database user permissions and implement principle of least privilege access controls to minimize the potential impact of successful exploitation. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of timely patch management and proper input validation in web applications, particularly those handling sensitive content management data.