CVE-2016-7783 in Exponent
Summary
by MITRE
SQL injection vulnerability in framework/core/models/expRecord.php in Exponent CMS 2.3.9 and earlier allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via the title parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/29/2022
The CVE-2016-7783 vulnerability represents a critical SQL injection flaw within the Exponent CMS 2.3.9 and earlier versions, specifically targeting the framework/core/models/expRecord.php file. This vulnerability exposes the content management system to remote code execution attacks through improper input validation mechanisms. The flaw manifests when the title parameter is processed without adequate sanitization, allowing malicious actors to inject malicious SQL commands that bypass authentication and authorization controls. The vulnerability falls under the category of CWE-89 SQL Injection, which is classified as a high-severity weakness in the CWE database, representing one of the most prevalent and dangerous web application security flaws.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through the manipulation of the title parameter within the expRecord.php file, which serves as a core component of the CMS's database interaction layer. When an attacker submits a specially crafted title value containing SQL injection payloads, the application fails to properly escape or validate the input before incorporating it into database queries. This allows attackers to manipulate the underlying database operations, potentially gaining unauthorized access to sensitive data, modifying content, or even executing administrative commands on the affected system. The vulnerability's remote nature means that attackers do not require local system access or authentication credentials to exploit the flaw, making it particularly dangerous for publicly accessible web applications.
The operational impact of CVE-2016-7783 extends beyond simple data theft, as it provides attackers with the capability to completely compromise the CMS infrastructure. Successful exploitation can result in full database access, allowing threat actors to extract user credentials, modify website content, inject malicious code, or establish persistent backdoors within the system. The vulnerability affects not only the integrity of the website's content but also its availability and confidentiality, potentially leading to service disruption, data breaches, and reputational damage for organizations relying on Exponent CMS. Organizations using affected versions face significant risk of unauthorized access to their digital assets and could be subject to regulatory compliance violations if sensitive information is compromised.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate action including patching the application to the latest supported version where the SQL injection flaw has been addressed. System administrators should implement input validation and output encoding mechanisms to prevent similar vulnerabilities from occurring in other parts of the application. The implementation of web application firewalls and database activity monitoring can provide additional layers of protection against exploitation attempts. Organizations should also conduct thorough security assessments of their CMS installations, reviewing all input handling mechanisms and ensuring proper parameterized queries are used throughout the application. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1071.004 Application Layer Protocol: DNS, as attackers may use DNS-based exfiltration methods to retrieve data from compromised systems, and T1190 Exploit Public-Facing Application, which directly describes the exploitation of vulnerabilities in publicly accessible web applications. Regular security updates and vulnerability management processes are essential for preventing similar incidents in the future, as this vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of maintaining up-to-date software components in web application security.