CVE-2016-9135 in Exponent
Summary
by MITRE
Exponent CMS 2.3.9 suffers from a SQL injection vulnerability in "/framework/modules/help/controllers/helpController.php" affecting the version parameter. Impact is Information Disclosure.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/29/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-9135 represents a critical SQL injection flaw within Exponent CMS version 2.3.9 that resides in the help module controller file. This security weakness specifically targets the version parameter handling within the helpController.php script located at /framework/modules/help/controllers/helpController.php. The flaw arises from inadequate input validation and sanitization mechanisms that fail to properly escape or filter user-supplied data before incorporating it into database queries. Attackers can exploit this vulnerability by manipulating the version parameter to inject malicious SQL code that bypasses normal authentication and authorization controls.
The technical exploitation of this SQL injection vulnerability occurs when an attacker submits crafted input through the version parameter that gets directly incorporated into SQL query construction without proper sanitization. This allows malicious actors to execute arbitrary database commands and potentially extract sensitive information from the underlying database system. The vulnerability specifically enables information disclosure attacks where attackers can retrieve confidential data such as user credentials, system configurations, and other sensitive information stored within the CMS database. The flaw falls under CWE-89 which categorizes SQL injection vulnerabilities as a fundamental weakness in software applications that allows attackers to manipulate database queries through untrusted input.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability creates significant risks for organizations utilizing Exponent CMS 2.3.9 as it provides attackers with unauthorized access to sensitive database information. The information disclosure aspect means that attackers can potentially obtain user account details, administrative credentials, and other confidential data that could lead to complete system compromise. The vulnerability affects the entire CMS infrastructure since it operates at the database level and can be exploited without requiring elevated privileges or authentication. Organizations running this vulnerable version face potential data breaches, compliance violations, and reputational damage when this vulnerability is exploited in the wild.
The exploitation of CVE-2016-9135 aligns with several tactics described in the MITRE ATT&CK framework, particularly those related to credential access and reconnaissance activities. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to perform initial reconnaissance and establish persistent access to the target system. The vulnerability also maps to ATT&CK technique T1213 which covers data from information repositories, as it enables unauthorized access to database contents. Security teams should consider implementing comprehensive network monitoring and intrusion detection systems to identify potential exploitation attempts. The recommended mitigation strategy involves immediate patching of the Exponent CMS to a version that addresses this SQL injection vulnerability, along with implementing proper input validation mechanisms and database query parameterization to prevent similar issues in other applications. Organizations should also conduct thorough vulnerability assessments to identify and remediate other potential SQL injection vulnerabilities within their software ecosystem.