CVE-2016-8908 in dotCMS
Summary
by MITRE
SQL injection vulnerability in the "Site Browser > HTML 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-2016-8908 vulnerability represents a critical sql injection flaw within the dotCMS content management platform that affects versions prior to 3.3.1. This vulnerability specifically targets the Site Browser module's HTML pages functionality, creating a pathway for authenticated attackers to manipulate database queries through malicious input. The vulnerability occurs when the system processes the orderby parameter without proper sanitization or validation, allowing attackers to inject arbitrary sql commands that execute within the database context. This type of vulnerability falls under the common weakness enumeration CWE-89 which categorizes sql injection as a fundamental web application security flaw that enables attackers to bypass authentication, extract sensitive data, modify database contents, or even execute operating system commands.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability requires an attacker to possess valid authentication credentials within the dotCMS system, which significantly reduces the attack surface compared to unauthenticated exploits but still presents a severe risk. When an authenticated user navigates to the Site Browser > HTML pages screen and manipulates the orderby parameter, the application fails to properly escape or validate user input before incorporating it into sql queries. This creates a direct injection point where malicious sql payloads can be executed with the privileges of the authenticated user, potentially escalating to system-level access depending on the underlying database configuration and user permissions. The vulnerability demonstrates poor input validation practices and highlights the importance of implementing proper parameterized queries or prepared statements to prevent sql injection attacks.
The operational impact of CVE-2016-8908 extends beyond simple data theft or modification, as it provides attackers with the capability to potentially compromise entire database systems. An attacker could leverage this vulnerability to extract sensitive information such as user credentials, content management system configurations, or business-critical data stored within the dotCMS database. The attack could also enable privilege escalation if the database user has elevated permissions, potentially allowing full system compromise. Additionally, the vulnerability could facilitate data corruption or deletion, leading to service disruption and potential regulatory compliance violations. Organizations using dotCMS versions prior to 3.3.1 face significant risk exposure, particularly in environments where the cms handles sensitive data or serves as a critical business application.
Organizations should immediately implement the patch released in dotCMS version 3.3.1 to address this vulnerability, as it represents a critical security flaw that requires immediate remediation. The mitigation strategy should include comprehensive input validation and output encoding for all user-supplied data, particularly within database query parameters. Security teams should also implement proper access controls and monitoring to detect unusual query patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability aligns with attack techniques documented in the mitre attack framework under the execution and credential access phases, where attackers leverage application flaws to gain unauthorized access to system resources. Organizations should conduct thorough security assessments to identify similar vulnerabilities in other parts of their dotCMS implementation and ensure that all components follow secure coding practices that prevent sql injection through proper parameterization and input sanitization techniques.