CVE-2016-5742 in Movable Type
Summary
by MITRE
SQL injection vulnerability in the XML-RPC interface in Movable Type Pro and Advanced 6.x before 6.1.3 and 6.2.x before 6.2.6 and Movable Type Open Source 5.2.13 and earlier allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via unspecified vectors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/14/2026
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-5742 represents a critical sql injection flaw within the xmlrpc interface of movable type content management systems. This vulnerability affects both commercial pro and advanced editions as well as the open source variant, spanning multiple version ranges that include 6.x before 6.1.3, 6.2.x before 6.2.6, and 5.2.13 and earlier versions of the open source distribution. The flaw exists in the xmlrpc endpoint which serves as a remote procedure call interface enabling external systems to interact with the cms functionality through xml formatted requests. Attackers can exploit this vulnerability to execute arbitrary sql commands against the underlying database, potentially gaining complete control over the cms installation and its associated data.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and sanitization within the xmlrpc processing logic. When the system receives xmlrpc requests containing maliciously crafted parameters, the application fails to properly escape or filter user-supplied data before incorporating it into sql queries. This allows attackers to inject malicious sql payloads that bypass normal security controls and execute unauthorized database operations. The unspecified vectors indicate that multiple attack paths exist within the xmlrpc interface, making the vulnerability particularly dangerous as it can be exploited through various parameter combinations and request structures. This vulnerability directly maps to cwe-89 sql injection as defined in the common weakness enumeration catalog, which classifies it as a persistent vulnerability that can be leveraged for data manipulation, disclosure, and system compromise.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft to encompass complete system compromise and potential data destruction. Remote attackers can leverage this vulnerability to extract sensitive information including user credentials, content data, and system configurations from the underlying database. The ability to execute arbitrary sql commands means that attackers can modify or delete database records, create new administrative accounts, or even escalate privileges within the system. Additionally, the vulnerability can be exploited to perform denial of service attacks by corrupting database structures or consuming excessive system resources through malicious query execution patterns. The widespread adoption of movable type platforms makes this vulnerability particularly concerning for organizations that have not yet patched their systems.
Organizations affected by this vulnerability should immediately implement mitigations including applying the official patches released by sixapart for the specific version ranges mentioned in the cve. The recommended approach involves upgrading to patched versions 6.1.3 and 6.2.6 for pro and advanced editions, and 5.2.13 for open source installations. Network-level mitigations should include restricting access to xmlrpc endpoints through firewall rules and implementing web application firewalls that can detect and block sql injection attempts. Additionally, organizations should conduct thorough security assessments to identify any unauthorized access attempts that may have occurred prior to patching. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of maintaining up-to-date security patches and implementing proper input validation controls as outlined in the mitre attack framework, particularly within api and rpc interfaces that handle external communications. Regular security monitoring and intrusion detection systems should be configured to alert on suspicious xmlrpc activity patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts.