CVE-2018-6843 in Kentico
Summary
by MITRE
Kentico 10 before 10.0.50 and 11 before 11.0.3 has SQL injection in the administration interface.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/19/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-6843 represents a critical SQL injection flaw within the Kentico content management system affecting versions prior to 10.0.50 and 11.0.3. This vulnerability specifically targets the administration interface, making it particularly dangerous as it provides attackers with direct access to the backend database through the management console. The flaw stems from insufficient input validation and sanitization of user-supplied parameters that are directly incorporated into SQL queries without proper escaping or parameterization. According to CWE-89, this classification indicates a classic SQL injection vulnerability where malicious input can manipulate database queries, potentially allowing unauthorized access to sensitive data, modification of database content, or complete system compromise.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs when administrators interact with the administration interface, particularly when processing user inputs that are not properly sanitized before being used in database operations. Attackers can exploit this weakness by crafting malicious payloads that inject SQL commands into the system's query parameters. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it affects the administrative interface, which typically possesses elevated privileges and access to critical system functions. This exposure creates a pathway for attackers to escalate privileges and gain unauthorized access to sensitive information stored within the Kentico database, including user credentials, content management data, and potentially system configuration details. The attack vector is primarily through web-based input fields where administrators enter data that gets processed by the backend database.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft, as it can enable complete system compromise and unauthorized access to the organization's content management infrastructure. Successful exploitation allows attackers to perform unauthorized database operations including data extraction, modification, or deletion, potentially leading to service disruption and data integrity breaches. Organizations utilizing affected Kentico versions face significant risk of unauthorized access to their content management systems, which could result in content tampering, user credential theft, and potential lateral movement within the network. The vulnerability's presence in the administration interface means that even a single compromised administrative account could provide attackers with extensive access to the entire content management ecosystem.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2018-6843 primarily involve immediate patching of affected systems to the recommended versions 10.0.50 and 11.0.3 where the SQL injection vulnerability has been resolved. Organizations should implement comprehensive input validation and sanitization measures, ensuring all user inputs are properly escaped or parameterized before database interaction. The implementation of proper web application firewalls and intrusion detection systems can help identify and block malicious SQL injection attempts. Additionally, organizations should enforce the principle of least privilege for administrative accounts, limiting access to only necessary functions and implementing multi-factor authentication for administrative access. Regular security assessments and penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities within the broader application ecosystem. According to ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability maps to T1071.005 for application layer protocol and T1213.002 for data from information repositories, highlighting the need for comprehensive defensive measures across multiple attack vectors.