CVE-2016-8903 in dotCMS
Summary
by MITRE
SQL injection vulnerability in the "Site Browser > Templates pages" screen in dotCMS before 3.3.1 allows remote authenticated attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via the orderby parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/29/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-8903 represents a critical SQL injection flaw within the dotCMS content management platform, specifically affecting versions prior to 3.3.1. This vulnerability exists within the Site Browser module's Templates pages functionality, where the orderby parameter fails to properly sanitize user input before incorporating it into SQL query construction. The flaw enables authenticated attackers to manipulate database queries through crafted input, potentially leading to unauthorized data access, modification, or deletion. The vulnerability's impact is amplified by the fact that it requires only authentication, making it accessible to users with valid credentials who may have limited privileges. This type of vulnerability falls under the CWE-89 category, which specifically addresses SQL injection flaws where untrusted data is directly incorporated into SQL commands without proper sanitization or parameterization. The attack vector leverages the application's trust in user-provided data within the orderby parameter, allowing malicious input to alter the intended query execution path. Within the MITRE ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability maps to the T1190 technique for exploitation of remote services, specifically targeting the application layer through SQL injection. The vulnerability demonstrates a fundamental weakness in input validation and query construction practices, where dynamic SQL generation does not adequately protect against malicious input manipulation.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability requires an attacker to first authenticate to the dotCMS system with valid credentials, which can be either user-level or administrative depending on the target scope. Once authenticated, the attacker can navigate to the Site Browser > Templates pages section and manipulate the orderby parameter to inject malicious SQL commands. The vulnerability occurs because the application directly incorporates user-supplied input into SQL queries without proper parameterization or input validation, creating a direct path for SQL command injection. Attackers can leverage this weakness to extract sensitive data from the underlying database, modify existing records, or even delete critical information. The specific nature of the vulnerability allows for complex injection attacks where attackers can construct multi-statement SQL commands or use techniques such as union-based queries to access data from other tables within the database schema. The impact extends beyond simple data theft to include potential privilege escalation and system compromise, especially if the database user account has elevated permissions. The vulnerability's remediation requires proper input sanitization, parameterized queries, and the implementation of proper access controls to prevent unauthorized manipulation of database operations.
The operational impact of CVE-2016-8903 extends beyond immediate data compromise to encompass broader security implications for organizations using dotCMS platforms. Organizations may face regulatory compliance violations if sensitive data is accessed or modified through this vulnerability, particularly in industries governed by data protection regulations such as healthcare or financial services. The vulnerability's presence in the templates browsing functionality suggests potential exposure of configuration data, user credentials, or content management system metadata that could provide attackers with additional attack vectors. Security teams must consider the potential for this vulnerability to serve as a foothold for further exploitation, as database access often provides attackers with information about system architecture and user permissions that can facilitate additional attacks. The vulnerability also impacts the integrity of the content management system, as attackers could modify templates or content in ways that compromise the availability and authenticity of published materials. Organizations should implement comprehensive monitoring for suspicious database queries and authentication patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. The remediation process requires immediate patching of affected systems, along with thorough security assessments to identify any potential compromise that may have occurred during the vulnerability's active period. Additionally, organizations should review their input validation practices and database access controls to prevent similar vulnerabilities in other applications within their environment. The vulnerability highlights the importance of secure coding practices and the need for regular security assessments of web applications to identify and remediate SQL injection vulnerabilities before they can be exploited by malicious actors.