CVE-2021-26599 in ImpressCMS
Summary
by MITRE • 03/28/2022
ImpressCMS before 1.4.3 allows include/findusers.php groups SQL Injection.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/19/2024
The vulnerability CVE-2021-26599 represents a critical SQL injection flaw in ImpressCMS versions prior to 1.4.3, specifically within the include/findusers.php component. This vulnerability resides in the application's user management functionality where the groups parameter is not properly sanitized before being incorporated into database queries. The flaw allows authenticated attackers with appropriate privileges to manipulate database queries through malicious input, potentially enabling unauthorized data access, modification, or deletion. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-89 as SQL Injection, which is a well-documented weakness in web applications where user-supplied data is directly concatenated into SQL commands without proper validation or escaping mechanisms.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when an attacker submits malicious input through the groups parameter in the findusers.php script. The application fails to implement proper input validation or parameterized queries, allowing attackers to inject malicious SQL code that gets executed within the database context. This type of injection can be leveraged to extract sensitive information from the database, including user credentials, personal data, and administrative privileges. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it affects the user management system, which is a core component of any content management system, potentially providing attackers with access to user accounts and their associated permissions. This vulnerability maps to ATT&CK technique T1071.005 for Application Layer Protocol: Web Protocols and T1046 for Network Service Scanning, as attackers would typically probe for such vulnerabilities before attempting data exfiltration.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft, as it can enable attackers to escalate privileges within the CMS environment. Successful exploitation could lead to complete system compromise, allowing attackers to modify content, create new administrative accounts, or establish persistent backdoors. Organizations running affected versions of ImpressCMS face significant risk of unauthorized access to their content management systems, potentially affecting thousands of user accounts and sensitive organizational data. The vulnerability affects not just individual user data but also the integrity of the entire CMS infrastructure, as database manipulation can corrupt or destroy critical application data. Security professionals should note that this vulnerability can be exploited through automated scanning tools, making it particularly dangerous in environments where automated attacks are common.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2021-26599 primarily involve upgrading to ImpressCMS version 1.4.3 or later, which contains the necessary patches to address the SQL injection vulnerability. Organizations should also implement proper input validation and parameterized query execution throughout their applications to prevent similar issues. Network segmentation and monitoring solutions should be deployed to detect unusual database query patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. Additionally, implementing web application firewalls and database activity monitoring can provide additional layers of protection against SQL injection attacks. Regular security audits and penetration testing should be conducted to identify and remediate similar vulnerabilities in other components of the CMS ecosystem. The fix implemented in version 1.4.3 likely includes proper sanitization of user input and the adoption of secure coding practices that prevent direct concatenation of user-supplied data into SQL statements, aligning with industry best practices for preventing SQL injection vulnerabilities.