CVE-2016-8905 in dotCMS
Summary
by MITRE
SQL injection vulnerability in the JSONTags servlet in dotCMS before 3.3.1 allows remote authenticated attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via the sort parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/29/2022
The CVE-2016-8905 vulnerability represents a critical SQL injection flaw within the dotCMS content management platform affecting versions prior to 3.3.1. This vulnerability specifically targets the JSONTags servlet component which processes JSON requests for tag-related operations. The flaw enables authenticated attackers to manipulate the sort parameter through malicious input, potentially allowing them to execute arbitrary SQL commands against the underlying database. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it requires only authentication to exploit, meaning that any user with valid credentials can leverage this weakness to gain unauthorized access to database resources.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and sanitization within the JSONTags servlet's handling of the sort parameter. When the servlet processes user-supplied data for sorting operations, it fails to properly escape or parameterize the input before incorporating it into SQL queries. This allows attackers to inject malicious SQL fragments that can alter the intended query execution path. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-89, which specifically addresses SQL injection flaws where untrusted data is directly incorporated into SQL command strings without proper sanitization. Attackers can exploit this by crafting specially formatted sort parameters that, when processed by the vulnerable servlet, result in unintended SQL execution.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft, as it provides attackers with the ability to manipulate, modify, or delete database content. Successful exploitation could enable attackers to escalate privileges within the system, access sensitive user information, or even compromise the entire database infrastructure. The authenticated nature of the attack means that attackers do not require special tools or advanced techniques to exploit this vulnerability, making it particularly dangerous in environments where user accounts are frequently created or where default credentials are not changed. This vulnerability directly maps to several ATT&CK techniques including T1071.004 for application layer protocol usage and T1213.002 for data from information repositories.
Organizations affected by this vulnerability should immediately implement the patch released in dotCMS version 3.3.1, which addresses the input validation issues in the JSONTags servlet. Additional mitigations include implementing proper input validation at multiple layers, using parameterized queries for all database interactions, and conducting regular security assessments of web application components. Network segmentation and monitoring solutions should be deployed to detect anomalous database access patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. Security teams should also review and audit existing user accounts to ensure that only necessary privileges are granted, as the vulnerability allows for privilege escalation within the authenticated session. The remediation process should include comprehensive testing to ensure that the patch does not introduce regressions in legitimate functionality while maintaining the security hardening measures.