CVE-2017-2120 in WBCE
Summary
by MITRE
SQL injection vulnerability in the WBCE CMS 1.1.10 and earlier allows attacker with administrator rights to execute arbitrary SQL commands via unspecified vectors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/22/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-2120 represents a critical SQL injection flaw within the WBCE Content Management System version 1.1.10 and earlier releases. This vulnerability specifically targets the administrative interface of the CMS, creating a significant security risk when exploited by malicious actors who have already gained administrative privileges. The flaw arises from inadequate input validation and sanitization mechanisms within the application's database interaction components, allowing attackers to manipulate SQL query structures through crafted inputs that bypass normal security controls.
The technical nature of this vulnerability places it firmly within the scope of CWE-89, which categorizes SQL injection attacks as a fundamental weakness in application security. The flaw operates by permitting an authenticated attacker to inject malicious SQL commands into the application's database layer, potentially enabling complete database compromise, data exfiltration, and unauthorized access to sensitive information. The unspecified vectors suggest that the vulnerability may manifest through multiple input points within the administrative interface, making it particularly challenging to secure against all potential attack paths. This type of vulnerability is classified under the MITRE ATT&CK framework as part of the T1071.004 technique, which involves application layer protocol manipulation through SQL injection attacks.
The operational impact of CVE-2017-2120 is severe and multifaceted, as it essentially transforms an administrative account into a full database compromise tool. An attacker with administrative access can leverage this vulnerability to escalate their privileges beyond the intended scope of their role, potentially gaining access to user credentials, sensitive business data, and system configuration details. The vulnerability's exploitation could result in complete system takeover, data loss, and unauthorized modification of content. Organizations running affected versions of WBCE CMS face significant risk of data breaches and regulatory compliance violations, particularly in environments where sensitive information is stored and managed through the platform. The attack vector is particularly dangerous because it requires only existing administrative credentials, making it easier to exploit compared to vulnerabilities requiring additional reconnaissance or privilege escalation.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability must be comprehensive and multi-layered to ensure effective protection against exploitation attempts. The primary and most critical remediation involves upgrading to a patched version of WBCE CMS, as this addresses the root cause of the SQL injection vulnerability. Organizations should also implement proper input validation and sanitization measures, including parameterized queries and prepared statements to prevent SQL injection attacks. Network-level protections such as web application firewalls and intrusion detection systems can provide additional layers of defense by monitoring for suspicious database query patterns. Regular security audits and penetration testing should be conducted to identify potential weaknesses in the application's security posture, while access controls and privilege management should be strictly enforced to limit the impact of compromised administrative accounts. Additionally, implementing proper logging and monitoring mechanisms for database activities can help detect and respond to exploitation attempts more effectively.