CVE-2016-9021 in Exponent
Summary
by MITRE • 12/31/2020
Exponent CMS before 2.6.0 has improper input validation in storeController.php.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/05/2026
The vulnerability in Exponent CMS prior to version 2.6.0 stems from inadequate input validation within the storeController.php file, creating a significant security weakness that can be exploited by malicious actors. This flaw represents a classic example of insufficient sanitization of user-supplied data, which falls under the broader category of input validation vulnerabilities. The improper handling of input parameters in this controller file allows attackers to inject malicious content that can be processed and executed within the application's context.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs when user input reaches the storeController.php script without proper validation or sanitization measures. Attackers can manipulate parameters passed to this controller to inject harmful code or manipulate the application's behavior. This type of vulnerability typically enables various attack vectors including but not limited to command injection, cross-site scripting, or data manipulation. The lack of proper input validation creates an environment where malicious payloads can be executed with the privileges of the affected application, potentially leading to complete system compromise.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability poses substantial risk to organizations utilizing Exponent CMS versions below 2.6.0. The compromised controller could allow unauthorized users to execute arbitrary commands on the server, access sensitive data, modify content, or potentially escalate privileges within the application environment. The vulnerability's exploitation can lead to data breaches, service disruption, and unauthorized access to the underlying system infrastructure. Organizations may face regulatory compliance issues and reputational damage if this vulnerability is successfully exploited, particularly when dealing with sensitive user information or proprietary data.
The remediation approach for this vulnerability requires immediate implementation of proper input validation mechanisms within the storeController.php file. Organizations should ensure that all user-supplied data undergoes rigorous sanitization and validation before being processed by the application. This includes implementing proper parameter validation, input filtering, and output encoding techniques to prevent malicious content from being executed. The recommended solution involves updating to Exponent CMS version 2.6.0 or later, which contains the necessary patches to address the input validation deficiencies. Additionally, implementing web application firewalls and regular security monitoring can provide additional layers of protection against exploitation attempts.
This vulnerability aligns with several cybersecurity frameworks and threat modeling approaches, including the CWE (Common Weakness Enumeration) catalog which classifies this as a weakness related to improper input validation and insufficient sanitization of user data. The ATT&CK framework would categorize this vulnerability under the technique of command and script injection, where adversaries leverage input validation flaws to execute malicious commands. The presence of such vulnerabilities highlights the critical importance of implementing robust input validation mechanisms as part of secure software development practices, emphasizing the need for comprehensive security testing and regular vulnerability assessments to identify and remediate similar weaknesses in web applications.