CVE-2020-22211 in 74cms
Summary
by MITRE • 06/17/2021
SQL Injection in 74cms 3.2.0 via the key parameter to plus/ajax_street.php.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/21/2021
The vulnerability CVE-2020-22211 represents a critical SQL injection flaw discovered in the 74cms content management system version 3.2.0. This vulnerability specifically manifests through the key parameter in the plus/ajax_street.php endpoint, creating a significant security risk for affected systems. The 74cms platform, widely used for job portal and community website implementations, becomes susceptible to unauthorized database access when this vulnerability is exploited. The flaw allows malicious actors to manipulate database queries through crafted input parameters, potentially leading to complete database compromise and unauthorized data access.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and sanitization within the ajax_street.php script. When the key parameter is processed without proper escaping or parameterization, it becomes vulnerable to injection attacks that can manipulate the underlying SQL query structure. This flaw directly maps to CWE-89, which categorizes SQL injection vulnerabilities as a result of insufficient input validation and improper query construction. The vulnerability exists because the application fails to implement proper database abstraction layer techniques or prepared statements that would prevent malicious SQL code from being executed within the database context. Attackers can leverage this weakness to execute arbitrary SQL commands, potentially gaining read access to sensitive user data, modifying database contents, or even escalating privileges within the database system.
The operational impact of CVE-2020-22211 extends beyond simple data theft, encompassing potential system compromise and business disruption. Organizations utilizing 74cms 3.2.0 may face unauthorized access to personal information of website visitors, employee records, or proprietary business data stored within the database. The vulnerability can be exploited through simple web requests, making it particularly dangerous as it requires minimal technical expertise to execute. This exposure could lead to regulatory compliance violations under data protection frameworks such as gdpr or ccpa, resulting in significant financial penalties and reputational damage. Additionally, successful exploitation may enable attackers to establish persistent access points or deploy further malicious payloads within the compromised environment.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2020-22211 should prioritize immediate patching of the 74cms platform to the latest secure version that addresses this vulnerability. Organizations should implement proper input validation mechanisms that sanitize all user-supplied parameters before database processing, utilizing parameterized queries or prepared statements to prevent SQL injection attacks. Network-level protections including web application firewalls and intrusion detection systems can provide additional layers of defense against exploitation attempts. Security teams should conduct comprehensive vulnerability assessments to identify any other potential SQL injection vulnerabilities within the application stack and implement proper database access controls. The remediation process should also include monitoring database logs for suspicious query patterns and establishing incident response procedures to address potential exploitation attempts. Organizations must ensure that all database connections use least privilege access models and that database administrators regularly audit access permissions and query execution patterns to detect anomalous behavior that might indicate exploitation attempts.