CVE-2020-26623 in Gila
Summary
by MITRE • 01/03/2024
SQL Injection vulnerability discovered in Gila CMS 1.15.4 and earlier allows a remote attacker to execute arbitrary web scripts via the Area parameter under the Administration>Widget tab after the login portal.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/03/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2020-26623 represents a critical SQL injection flaw within Gila CMS version 1.15.4 and earlier releases. This security weakness exists within the administrative interface of the content management system, specifically in the Widget management section under the Administration tab. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code without requiring authentication, as the attack vector operates through the Area parameter that is accessible after login. The flaw stems from inadequate input validation and sanitization mechanisms that fail to properly escape or filter user-supplied data before incorporating it into database queries. This type of vulnerability falls under CWE-89 which categorizes SQL injection as a common weakness in web applications. The attack scenario involves an authenticated user manipulating the Area parameter to inject malicious SQL commands that can then be executed on the underlying database server. The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft, as attackers can potentially gain full control over the database, modify content, escalate privileges, or even use the compromised system as a pivot point for further attacks within the network infrastructure. The ATT&CK framework would classify this vulnerability under T1071.004 for application layer protocol and T1046 for network service scanning, as it enables unauthorized access to database services and can be used to map network resources. The vulnerability's exploitation requires minimal privileges since the attacker only needs to be authenticated to the CMS administration interface, making it particularly dangerous in environments where administrative access might be compromised through other means. Organizations using affected versions of Gila CMS face significant risk of data breaches, content manipulation, and potential system compromise. The vulnerability demonstrates poor input handling practices and highlights the critical importance of implementing proper parameterized queries and input validation at all levels of web application development. Security professionals should note that this vulnerability represents a failure in the principle of least privilege and proper access control implementation. The attack surface is further expanded due to the administrative nature of the vulnerability, as it provides access to sensitive system functions and data that would otherwise be protected. Remediation efforts must include immediate patching of the affected CMS version, implementation of proper input validation mechanisms, and comprehensive security auditing of all database interactions within the application. The vulnerability also underscores the necessity of regular security assessments and the importance of keeping all software components updated to prevent exploitation of known weaknesses. Organizations should implement network monitoring solutions to detect unusual database access patterns and consider implementing web application firewalls to help mitigate potential exploitation attempts.