CVE-2017-5346 in GeniXCMS
Summary
by MITRE
SQL injection vulnerability in inc/lib/Control/Backend/posts.control.php in GeniXCMS 0.0.8 allows remote authenticated administrators to execute arbitrary SQL commands via the id parameter to gxadmin/index.php.
If you want to get best quality of vulnerability data, you may have to visit VulDB.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/28/2022
The CVE-2017-5346 vulnerability represents a critical sql injection flaw within the GeniXCMS 0.0.8 content management system that specifically targets the backend administrative interface. This vulnerability exists in the posts.control.php file located within the inc/lib/Control/Backend directory structure, making it accessible through the gxadmin/index.php endpoint. The flaw is particularly dangerous because it requires only authenticated administrative access, meaning that an attacker who has already compromised administrative credentials can leverage this vulnerability to execute arbitrary sql commands on the underlying database system. This represents a significant escalation from typical user-level vulnerabilities since it operates within the privileged administrative context where database operations are permitted.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from improper input validation and sanitization of the id parameter within the posts.control.php file. When an authenticated administrator navigates to the gxadmin/index.php endpoint and interacts with posts management functionality, the application fails to properly escape or validate user-supplied input before incorporating it into sql query construction. This allows an attacker to inject malicious sql payloads that bypass normal security controls and execute arbitrary database operations with full administrative privileges. The vulnerability is classified as a classic sql injection attack pattern that aligns with CWE-89, which specifically addresses improper neutralization of special elements used in sql commands. This weakness creates an attack surface where user-controllable data directly influences database query execution without proper sanitization mechanisms.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends far beyond simple data theft or modification. An attacker with administrative access can leverage this vulnerability to extract sensitive information from the database including user credentials, configuration details, and potentially other system data. The ability to execute arbitrary sql commands means that attackers could manipulate database structures, create backdoor accounts, modify content, or even escalate their privileges further within the system. This vulnerability undermines the fundamental security assumptions of the administrative interface and represents a critical failure in the application's input validation and security architecture. From an att&ck framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to techniques involving sql injection and privilege escalation, specifically targeting the privilege escalation and credential access domains where attackers can leverage existing access to gain deeper system control.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-5346 should focus on immediate patching of the GeniXCMS 0.0.8 version to address the sql injection vulnerability in the posts.control.php file. Organizations should implement proper input validation and parameterized queries to prevent sql injection attacks from occurring in the first place. The recommended approach involves using prepared statements with proper parameter binding for all database interactions, eliminating the possibility of malicious sql code execution through user input. Additionally, implementing web application firewalls and input sanitization measures can provide additional layers of protection against similar vulnerabilities. Security monitoring should include detection of unusual database query patterns that might indicate sql injection attempts, while regular security assessments of administrative interfaces should be conducted to identify and remediate similar issues. The vulnerability highlights the importance of maintaining up-to-date software versions and implementing robust input validation practices throughout the application lifecycle to prevent such critical security flaws from persisting in production environments.