CVE-2017-14601 in Pragyan
Summary
by MITRE
Pragyan CMS v3.0 is vulnerable to a Boolean-based SQL injection in cms/admin.lib.php via $_GET['forwhat'], resulting in Information Disclosure.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/29/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-14601 affects Pragyan CMS version 3.0 and represents a critical Boolean-based SQL injection flaw that can be exploited to achieve unauthorized information disclosure. This vulnerability exists within the administrative library component of the CMS, specifically in the cms/admin.lib.php file where user input is improperly handled. The attack vector utilizes the $_GET['forwhat'] parameter which is directly incorporated into database queries without adequate sanitization or validation, creating a pathway for malicious actors to manipulate the underlying database structure through carefully crafted SQL commands.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability follows a Boolean-based SQL injection pattern where attackers can infer database contents by observing the application's responses to crafted input. When the application processes the forwhat parameter, it constructs SQL queries that are susceptible to manipulation through logical operators and conditional statements. This allows threat actors to systematically determine database schema information, user credentials, and other sensitive data by observing whether the application returns different responses based on true or false conditions in their injected SQL code. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-89 which specifically addresses SQL injection flaws and demonstrates how improper input validation can lead to complete database compromise.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure to potentially enable full administrative control over the CMS instance. Attackers who successfully exploit this flaw can extract user accounts, passwords, and other confidential information stored in the database, which may include not only CMS administrative credentials but also content management data and potentially user personal information. This vulnerability represents a significant risk to organizations relying on Pragyan CMS for content management, as it provides a direct pathway for unauthorized access that could lead to data breaches, service disruption, and potential lateral movement within affected networks. The Boolean-based nature of the injection means that even without direct error messages, attackers can systematically extract information through time-based or response-based techniques.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should prioritize immediate patching of the Pragyan CMS to version 3.1 or later, which contains the necessary fixes for the SQL injection flaw. Organizations should implement proper input validation and parameterized queries throughout the application code to prevent similar issues from occurring in other components. Network-level protections such as web application firewalls can provide additional defense-in-depth measures, though they should not be relied upon as the sole mitigation. Security teams should conduct comprehensive vulnerability assessments to identify other potential SQL injection points within the CMS and surrounding systems. The remediation process should include disabling unnecessary administrative functions, implementing proper access controls, and establishing monitoring procedures to detect anomalous database query patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. This vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of input validation and proper database query construction in preventing SQL injection attacks, aligning with ATT&CK technique T1071.004 for application layer attacks and highlighting the need for secure coding practices throughout the software development lifecycle.