CVE-2018-16356 in PbootCMS
Summary
by MITRE
An issue was discovered in PbootCMS. There is a SQL injection via the api.php/List/index order parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/09/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-16356 represents a critical SQL injection flaw within PbootCMS, a popular open-source content management system. This vulnerability specifically affects the api.php endpoint's List/index functionality where the order parameter is processed without adequate input validation or sanitization. The flaw exists in the application's database interaction layer where user-supplied parameters are directly incorporated into SQL query construction, creating an avenue for malicious actors to execute arbitrary SQL commands against the underlying database infrastructure.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through manipulation of the order parameter in the api.php/List/index endpoint. When an attacker submits a crafted order value containing malicious SQL payloads, the application fails to properly escape or parameterize the input before incorporating it into database queries. This weakness aligns with CWE-89, which specifically addresses SQL injection vulnerabilities where untrusted data is directly concatenated into SQL commands without proper validation or sanitization. The vulnerability can be categorized under the broader ATT&CK technique T1071.004 for application layer protocol manipulation and T1190 for exploitation of remote services.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft, as successful exploitation can result in complete database compromise, unauthorized data modification, privilege escalation, and potential system takeover. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to extract sensitive information including user credentials, personal data, and administrative access details. The vulnerability affects all versions of PbootCMS that implement the vulnerable api.php endpoint, making it particularly concerning given the widespread adoption of this CMS platform. Organizations running affected versions face significant risk of data breaches and compliance violations, particularly in environments subject to regulations such as gdpr, hipaa, or pci dss.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2018-16356 should prioritize immediate patching of affected PbootCMS installations to the latest secure versions that address the SQL injection vulnerability. Additionally, implementing proper input validation and parameterized query execution patterns can prevent similar issues in the future. Network-level protections such as web application firewalls and intrusion detection systems should be configured to monitor for suspicious parameter values in api.php endpoints. Regular security audits and penetration testing of CMS installations are essential to identify and remediate similar vulnerabilities. Organizations should also implement principle of least privilege for database connections and regularly review and test backup procedures to ensure rapid recovery in case of successful exploitation. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of secure coding practices and input validation in preventing database-level attacks that can compromise entire system infrastructures.