CVE-2016-8904 in dotCMS
Summary
by MITRE
SQL injection vulnerability in the "Site Browser > Containers 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 CVE-2016-8904 vulnerability represents a critical SQL injection flaw within the dotCMS content management system that affects versions prior to 3.3.1. This vulnerability specifically targets the Site Browser feature's Containers pages functionality, which is a core component used for managing and organizing website content structures. The vulnerability arises from insufficient input validation and sanitization of user-supplied parameters within the web application's query processing logic. Attackers can exploit this weakness by manipulating the orderby parameter through authenticated sessions, which then gets directly incorporated into SQL query constructions without proper parameterization or escaping mechanisms.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through the manipulation of the orderby parameter within the Site Browser Containers pages interface. When an authenticated user submits a request containing malicious SQL payload within this parameter, the application fails to properly sanitize the input before incorporating it into database queries. This lack of input validation creates a direct pathway for attackers to inject arbitrary SQL commands that execute with the privileges of the web application's database user. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it requires only authenticated access, meaning that attackers who can obtain valid user credentials or session tokens can leverage this flaw without requiring additional privileges. The flaw aligns with CWE-89 which specifically addresses SQL injection vulnerabilities, and demonstrates how improper input handling can lead to complete database compromise.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability poses significant risks to organizations using dotCMS systems, as successful exploitation could result in unauthorized data access, data modification, or even complete database destruction. Attackers could potentially extract sensitive information including user credentials, content data, and system configurations that could be used for further attacks. The impact extends beyond immediate data compromise, as this vulnerability could serve as a stepping stone for more extensive lateral movement within the network infrastructure. Organizations relying on dotCMS for content management, particularly those handling sensitive or regulated data, face substantial risk exposure. The vulnerability also demonstrates the importance of proper parameterized queries and input validation practices, which are fundamental requirements in the OWASP Top Ten security risks and align with defense-in-depth strategies outlined in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under the execution and credential access phases.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2016-8904 should prioritize immediate patching of affected dotCMS installations to version 3.3.1 or later, which contains the necessary fixes for the SQL injection vulnerability. Organizations should implement comprehensive input validation and parameterized query execution throughout their applications, ensuring that all user-supplied data is properly sanitized before database interaction. Network segmentation and access controls should be reinforced to limit the scope of potential exploitation, particularly restricting access to administrative interfaces. Regular security assessments and penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other components of the system architecture. Additionally, implementing web application firewalls and database activity monitoring can provide additional layers of protection and early detection capabilities for potential exploitation attempts. The vulnerability underscores the necessity of maintaining up-to-date security patches and following secure coding practices as fundamental requirements for protecting against SQL injection attacks.