CVE-2017-5879 in Exponent
Summary
by MITRE
An issue was discovered in Exponent CMS 2.4.1. This is a blind SQL injection that can be exploited by un-authenticated users via an HTTP GET request and which can be used to dump database data out to a malicious server, using an out-of-band technique, such as select_loadfile(). The vulnerability affects source_selector.php and the following parameter: src.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/11/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-5879 represents a critical blind sql injection flaw in Exponent CMS version 2.4.1 that fundamentally compromises the application's database security. This vulnerability operates through an unauthenticated attack vector, allowing remote attackers to exploit the system without requiring valid credentials or session tokens. The flaw specifically targets the source_selector.php script and affects the src parameter, creating a pathway for attackers to execute malicious sql commands against the underlying database infrastructure. The security implications are severe as this vulnerability enables complete database enumeration and data exfiltration capabilities.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability leverages blind sql injection techniques that operate without direct feedback mechanisms, making detection more challenging for security monitoring systems. Attackers can construct malicious sql payloads that trigger database responses through out-of-band communication channels, utilizing functions such as select_loadfile() to transfer database contents to external malicious servers. This approach bypasses traditional sql injection detection methods that rely on error-based responses, instead employing time-based or data-exfiltration techniques that can be executed silently in the background. The vulnerability resides in the improper sanitization of user-supplied input parameters, specifically the src parameter in source_selector.php, which directly influences sql query construction without adequate validation or escaping mechanisms.
The operational impact of CVE-2017-5879 extends beyond simple data theft, as it enables attackers to perform comprehensive database enumeration and potentially escalate privileges within the application environment. Unauthenticated access to database contents creates opportunities for attackers to extract sensitive information including user credentials, application configuration data, and business-critical information stored within the cms database. The out-of-band exploitation technique allows attackers to exfiltrate data without triggering traditional network monitoring alerts, as the malicious sql queries generate network traffic that appears to be normal database communication. This vulnerability directly violates security principles outlined in cwe-89, which addresses sql injection flaws, and aligns with attack patterns described in the attack tree framework under cwe-915, concerning insecure interactions between components.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability must address both immediate remediation and long-term security improvements within the Exponent CMS framework. The primary solution involves implementing proper input validation and parameterized queries throughout the application code, specifically targeting the source_selector.php script and all parameters that influence sql query construction. Organizations should deploy web application firewalls with sql injection detection capabilities and implement comprehensive network monitoring to detect unusual data exfiltration patterns. Regular security audits and code reviews should focus on input handling mechanisms, particularly in areas where user-supplied data is directly incorporated into database queries. Additionally, system administrators should implement proper access controls and network segmentation to limit the potential impact of successful exploitation attempts, while maintaining regular patch management schedules to address similar vulnerabilities in third-party components. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of secure coding practices and the necessity of implementing defense-in-depth strategies to protect against sophisticated sql injection attacks.