CVE-2018-18211 in PbootCMS
Summary
by MITRE
PbootCMS 1.2.1 has SQL injection via the HTTP POST data to the api.php/cms/addform?fcode=1 URI.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/01/2020
PbootCMS version 1.2.1 contains a critical SQL injection vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-18211 that resides within the application's API endpoint handling mechanism. This vulnerability specifically manifests when the application processes HTTP POST requests directed to the api.php/cms/addform?fcode=1 URI, creating an exploitable condition where attacker-controlled input can be directly incorporated into SQL query construction without proper sanitization or parameterization. The flaw represents a classic SQL injection vector that allows malicious actors to manipulate database queries through crafted POST data payloads, potentially enabling unauthorized access to sensitive information stored within the CMS database.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from improper input validation and sanitization practices within the application's backend processing logic. When the api.php script receives POST data through the addform endpoint, it fails to adequately sanitize or escape user-supplied parameters before incorporating them into database queries. This design flaw directly maps to CWE-89 which categorizes improper neutralization of special elements used in SQL commands as a primary cause of SQL injection vulnerabilities. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it operates at the API layer where database interactions occur, making it accessible to attackers who can leverage this weakness to execute arbitrary SQL commands against the underlying database system.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data exfiltration to encompass full database compromise and potential system takeover scenarios. An attacker exploiting this vulnerability could retrieve administrative credentials, user account information, content management data, and other sensitive database records that may include session tokens, encrypted passwords, or system configuration details. The attack surface is further expanded by the fact that this vulnerability exists in a CMS that may be widely deployed across various organizations, making it an attractive target for automated exploitation campaigns. Additionally, successful exploitation could enable attackers to modify or delete database content, potentially causing service disruption or data corruption that impacts business continuity and regulatory compliance requirements.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2018-18211 should prioritize immediate patch application from the vendor, as this vulnerability has been addressed in subsequent releases of PbootCMS. Organizations should also implement network-level protections such as web application firewalls that can detect and block malicious SQL injection patterns targeting the specific URI endpoint. Input validation should be enforced at multiple layers including application code, database level, and network perimeter defenses to create defense-in-depth controls. Security teams should conduct thorough vulnerability assessments to identify any other potentially affected endpoints within the application, as this vulnerability may indicate broader code quality issues. Additionally, implementing proper database access controls and privilege separation can limit the damage from successful exploitation attempts, while regular security monitoring and log analysis should be employed to detect unauthorized database access patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability also aligns with ATT&CK technique T1071.005 which covers application layer protocol manipulation, and T1190 which addresses exploitation of remote services through injection vulnerabilities.