CVE-2017-11324 in Tilde
Summary
by MITRE
An issue was discovered in Tilde CMS 1.0.1. Due to missing escaping of the backtick character, a SELECT query in class.SystemAction.php is vulnerable to SQL Injection. The vulnerability can be triggered via a POST request to /actionphp/action.input.php with the id parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/31/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-11324 affects Tilde CMS version 1.0.1 and represents a critical SQL injection flaw that stems from inadequate input sanitization. This weakness resides within the class.SystemAction.php file where a SELECT query fails to properly escape the backtick character, creating an avenue for malicious actors to manipulate database queries through crafted input. The vulnerability is particularly concerning as it can be exploited via a straightforward POST request to the /actionphp/action.input.php endpoint, making it accessible to attackers with minimal technical expertise. The specific parameter targeted is the id parameter, which when manipulated allows for unauthorized database access and potential data exfiltration.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-89, which categorizes SQL injection flaws as a direct result of insufficient input validation and sanitization. The backtick character escaping mechanism fails to properly handle user-supplied input, allowing attackers to inject malicious SQL commands that bypass normal query execution boundaries. This particular implementation pattern demonstrates a classic case of improper output escaping in database contexts, where the application fails to neutralize special characters that have semantic meaning in SQL syntax. The vulnerability's exploitability is significantly enhanced by the fact that it operates through a simple HTTP POST request, eliminating the need for complex attack vectors or privileged access.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft, as it provides attackers with the capability to execute arbitrary database commands and potentially escalate privileges within the application's database environment. Successful exploitation could result in complete database compromise, allowing attackers to read sensitive information, modify or delete data, and potentially establish persistent access through database-level backdoors. The vulnerability affects the entire Tilde CMS installation and impacts all users who interact with the affected action input functionality, making it a systemic risk rather than an isolated incident. Organizations using this CMS version face significant exposure to data breaches and system compromise, particularly in environments where database credentials have elevated privileges.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should prioritize immediate patching of the Tilde CMS application to the latest stable version that addresses the input sanitization flaw. System administrators should implement proper input validation and output escaping mechanisms throughout the application codebase, specifically ensuring that all user-supplied parameters undergo rigorous sanitization before database interaction. The implementation of prepared statements or parameterized queries should be enforced across all database operations to eliminate the possibility of SQL injection through improper escaping. Network-level defenses including web application firewalls and intrusion detection systems should be configured to monitor and block suspicious POST requests targeting the vulnerable endpoint. Additionally, regular security audits and code reviews should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other application components, with particular attention to input handling and database interaction patterns. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of maintaining up-to-date security practices and the potential consequences of inadequate input validation in web applications.