CVE-2016-9134 in Exponent
Summary
by MITRE
Exponent CMS 2.3.9 suffers from a SQL injection vulnerability in "/expPaginator.php" affecting the order parameter. Impact is Information Disclosure.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/29/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-9134 affects Exponent CMS version 2.3.9 and represents a critical SQL injection flaw located within the expPaginator.php script. This vulnerability specifically targets the order parameter, which is processed without adequate input validation or sanitization, creating an exploitable entry point for malicious actors. The flaw allows attackers to inject arbitrary SQL commands into the database query execution flow, potentially enabling unauthorized access to sensitive information stored within the CMS database. The vulnerability stems from improper handling of user-supplied input directly concatenated into SQL statements without proper parameterization or escaping mechanisms.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when an attacker crafts malicious input for the order parameter in the expPaginator.php endpoint. This input is then directly incorporated into SQL queries without appropriate sanitization, allowing attackers to manipulate the database query structure. The vulnerability falls under CWE-89 which specifically addresses SQL injection weaknesses where untrusted data is used in SQL commands without proper validation or escaping. This type of injection can result in unauthorized data access, data modification, or even complete database compromise depending on the attacker's privileges and the database configuration. The impact is categorized as information disclosure, meaning that successful exploitation could reveal sensitive data such as user credentials, personal information, or system configurations stored within the database.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents significant risks to organizations using Exponent CMS 2.3.9, particularly those handling sensitive user data or business-critical information. The vulnerability can be exploited remotely without requiring authentication, making it particularly dangerous as it allows attackers to gain unauthorized access to database contents. The exposure of database information could lead to identity theft, financial fraud, or corporate espionage, depending on the nature of data stored within the CMS. Additionally, the vulnerability may serve as a foothold for further attacks, potentially enabling attackers to escalate privileges or move laterally within the network infrastructure. The impact extends beyond simple data theft as it can compromise the integrity and confidentiality of the entire CMS system, affecting website availability and user trust.
Organizations affected by this vulnerability should implement immediate mitigations including upgrading to a patched version of Exponent CMS that addresses this SQL injection flaw. The recommended remediation involves applying the official security patches released by the Exponent CMS development team, which typically include proper input validation and parameterized query implementations. Network segmentation and firewall rules can provide additional defense-in-depth measures by restricting access to the vulnerable endpoint. Input validation should be implemented at multiple layers including application-level filtering and database-level query parameterization. Security monitoring should be enhanced to detect anomalous SQL query patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. Regular security assessments and penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other components of the web application infrastructure. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of following secure coding practices and adhering to OWASP Top Ten security guidelines to prevent similar injection vulnerabilities in future development cycles.