CVE-2016-8897 in Exponent
Summary
by MITRE
Exponent CMS version 2.3.9 suffers from a sql injection vulnerability in framework/modules/help/controllers/helpController.php.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/24/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-8897 affects Exponent CMS version 2.3.9 and represents a critical sql injection flaw within the help module controller. This vulnerability resides in the file framework/modules/help/controllers/helpController.php, making it accessible through the content management system's help functionality. The flaw allows attackers to manipulate database queries through malicious input parameters, potentially compromising the entire database infrastructure. Such vulnerabilities are particularly dangerous in content management systems as they often provide direct access to sensitive user data, configuration settings, and system metadata that can be leveraged for further attacks.
The technical implementation of this sql injection vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and sanitization within the help controller's parameter handling mechanism. When users interact with the help module, the application fails to properly escape or filter user-supplied data before incorporating it into sql queries. This weakness enables attackers to inject malicious sql code through carefully crafted input that can alter the intended query execution flow. The vulnerability specifically targets the help module's controller, suggesting that the application's input processing logic does not adequately distinguish between legitimate user input and potentially harmful sql commands. According to CWE classification, this represents a CWE-89: Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an SQL Command, which is a fundamental database security weakness that has been consistently identified as one of the most critical web application vulnerabilities.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft, as successful exploitation can lead to complete system compromise and unauthorized access to sensitive information. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to extract user credentials, personal information, system configurations, and potentially escalate privileges within the cms environment. The consequences include unauthorized content modification, data manipulation, and potential establishment of persistent backdoors within the application infrastructure. Organizations using Exponent CMS 2.3.9 are particularly vulnerable to attacks that follow the attack chain outlined in the MITRE ATT&CK framework, specifically targeting the credential access and persistence phases through database manipulation techniques. The vulnerability also aligns with ATT&CK technique T1071.004 for application layer protocol manipulation and T1213.002 for data from information repositories, as attackers can systematically extract data from compromised databases.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2016-8897 should prioritize immediate patching of the Exponent CMS to version 2.3.10 or later, which contains the necessary fixes for the sql injection vulnerability. Organizations should implement input validation measures including parameterized queries, proper escaping of special characters, and comprehensive sanitization of all user inputs before database processing. Additional defensive measures include implementing web application firewalls, restricting database user privileges, and conducting regular security assessments of cms components. Security monitoring should focus on unusual database query patterns and unauthorized access attempts to help module functionality. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of maintaining up-to-date software versions and implementing proper security controls throughout the application lifecycle, as recommended by industry standards such as NIST SP 800-53 and ISO 27001. Regular vulnerability scanning and penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar weaknesses in other cms modules and prevent exploitation of similar sql injection vulnerabilities.