CVE-2021-44135 in Pagekit
Summary
by MITRE • 04/01/2022
pagekit all versions, as of 15-10-2021, is vulnerable to SQL Injection via Comment listing.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/05/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2021-44135 affects Pagekit CMS versions up to and including the 2021-10-15 release, presenting a critical SQL injection flaw within the comment listing functionality. This vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and sanitization of user-supplied data when processing comment-related queries, allowing malicious actors to inject arbitrary SQL commands through the comment listing interface. The flaw specifically manifests when the application processes comment data without proper parameterization or input filtering, creating an exploitable pathway for database manipulation.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability resides in the comment listing module where user-provided parameters are directly incorporated into SQL queries without adequate sanitization measures. Attackers can leverage this weakness by crafting malicious input within comment fields or related parameters that get processed through the vulnerable SQL execution path. This allows for unauthorized database access, data extraction, modification, or even complete database compromise depending on the attacker's privileges and the underlying database configuration. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-89 which categorizes improper neutralization of special elements used in SQL commands as a fundamental weakness in software security design.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft, potentially enabling complete system compromise through database-level attacks. An attacker could exploit this flaw to escalate privileges, access sensitive user information, manipulate content, or establish persistent backdoors within the CMS environment. The attack surface is particularly concerning given that comment functionality is typically exposed to public users, making this vulnerability accessible to anyone with access to the affected Pagekit installation. This aligns with ATT&CK technique T1071.004 which covers application layer protocol manipulation, specifically targeting web application vulnerabilities that can lead to data compromise and system infiltration.
Mitigation strategies should prioritize immediate patching of affected Pagekit installations to the latest secure versions that address the SQL injection vulnerability. Organizations should implement proper input validation and parameterized queries throughout the application codebase, particularly in areas handling user-generated content. Database access controls must be reviewed and restricted to prevent unauthorized access, while web application firewalls should be configured to detect and block suspicious SQL injection patterns. Additionally, regular security audits and penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other components of the CMS infrastructure, ensuring comprehensive protection against similar attack vectors that could leverage the same architectural weaknesses.