CVE-2020-28091 in cxuucms
Summary
by MITRE • 11/18/2020
cxuucms v3 has a SQL injection vulnerability, which can lead to the leakage of all database data via the keywords parameter via search.php.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/03/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2020-28091 affects cxuucms v3, a content management system that suffers from a critical SQL injection flaw in its search functionality. This vulnerability resides within the search.php script where the keywords parameter is improperly handled, allowing malicious actors to inject arbitrary SQL commands into the database query execution process. The flaw represents a classic input validation failure where user-supplied data flows directly into database operations without adequate sanitization or parameterization. According to CWE-89, this vulnerability maps directly to SQL injection, a well-documented weakness that enables attackers to manipulate database queries and potentially gain unauthorized access to sensitive information. The attack vector is particularly concerning as it leverages the search functionality, which is typically accessible to all users and often used for legitimate purposes, making the exploitation more隐蔽 and harder to detect.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends far beyond simple data leakage, as it provides attackers with comprehensive access to the entire database structure and contents. Successful exploitation could result in the exposure of user credentials, personal information, business data, and potentially system configuration details that could facilitate further attacks. The vulnerability's presence in the search.php endpoint means that any user with access to the CMS interface can potentially exploit this weakness, making it particularly dangerous in multi-user environments where different privilege levels exist. From an attacker's perspective, this vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1213.002 for data from information repositories, as it enables extraction of stored data through database manipulation. The lack of proper input validation creates a pathway for attackers to execute commands that could alter, delete, or retrieve all database records, fundamentally compromising the integrity and confidentiality of the system's data.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2020-28091 must focus on implementing robust input validation and parameterized queries to prevent SQL injection attacks. The immediate solution involves updating cxuucms to a patched version that properly sanitizes the keywords parameter through prepared statements or stored procedures. Organizations should also implement web application firewalls that can detect and block malicious SQL injection patterns targeting the search functionality. Network segmentation and access controls should be enforced to limit exposure of the vulnerable application to unauthorized users. Security monitoring should be enhanced to detect unusual search queries that might indicate exploitation attempts, while regular security audits should verify that all input parameters are properly validated. The vulnerability highlights the importance of following secure coding practices and adhering to standards such as OWASP Top Ten and NIST guidelines for preventing SQL injection vulnerabilities. Additionally, implementing proper database access controls and privilege management can limit the damage even if exploitation occurs, as attackers would face restricted permissions that prevent full database compromise.