CVE-2016-9025 in Exponent
Summary
by MITRE • 12/31/2020
Exponent CMS before 2.6.0 has improper input validation in purchaseOrderController.php.
Be aware that VulDB is the high quality source for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/31/2020
The vulnerability identified in Exponent CMS versions prior to 2.6.0 stems from inadequate input validation within the purchaseOrderController.php file, creating a potential security risk that could be exploited by malicious actors. This flaw represents a classic example of insufficient sanitization of user-supplied data, which can lead to various forms of injection attacks and unauthorized system access. The improper input validation occurs at the controller level where purchase order data is processed, suggesting that the application fails to adequately validate or sanitize parameters received from external sources before processing them.
This vulnerability aligns with CWE-20, which specifically addresses "Improper Input Validation" in software applications. The flaw creates an attack surface where untrusted data enters the system without proper validation mechanisms, potentially allowing attackers to manipulate the application's behavior through crafted input. The purchase order controller represents a critical business logic component that handles financial transaction data, making it particularly sensitive to input validation failures. Attackers could exploit this weakness to inject malicious code, manipulate order processing, or potentially escalate privileges within the CMS environment.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data manipulation, as purchase order processing typically involves financial transactions and inventory management systems. An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability could potentially alter order quantities, modify pricing information, or redirect orders to unauthorized recipients. The implications become more severe when considering that CMS platforms often serve as central repositories for organizational data, and compromise of the purchase order functionality could lead to broader system infiltration. This type of vulnerability also falls under ATT&CK technique T1213.002, which covers "Data from Information Repositories" and could enable attackers to access sensitive business data through manipulated order processing.
Mitigation strategies should focus on implementing comprehensive input validation at multiple layers of the application architecture. The immediate fix involves adding proper sanitization and validation checks within the purchaseOrderController.php file to ensure all incoming parameters are properly validated before processing. Organizations should implement parameterized queries and input escaping mechanisms to prevent injection attacks, while also establishing proper access controls and audit logging for purchase order operations. Regular security testing including dynamic application security testing and manual code reviews should be conducted to identify similar validation gaps in other components. The remediation process should include updating to Exponent CMS version 2.6.0 or later, where the input validation issues have been addressed through proper sanitization and validation routines. Additionally, implementing web application firewalls and input validation rules at the network level can provide additional defense-in-depth measures to protect against exploitation attempts.