CVE-2022-42121 in Liferay
Summary
by MITRE • 11/15/2022
A SQL injection vulnerability in the Layout module in Liferay Portal 7.1.3 through 7.4.3.4, and Liferay DXP 7.1 before fix pack 27, 7.2 before fix pack 17, 7.3 before service pack 3, and 7.4 GA allows remote authenticated attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via a crafted payload injected into a page template's 'Name' field.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/14/2025
This vulnerability represents a critical sql injection flaw within the layout module of liferay portal systems, affecting versions ranging from 7.1.3 through 7.4.3.4 and corresponding liferay dxp releases. The vulnerability specifically targets the page template name field, which serves as an entry point for malicious payload injection. The flaw allows authenticated attackers to manipulate database queries by injecting crafted sql commands through the name parameter of page templates. This represents a significant security risk as it bypasses normal access controls and enables attackers to execute arbitrary database operations with the privileges of the affected application.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and sanitization within the layout module's template handling functionality. When users create or modify page templates, the system processes the name field without proper escaping or parameterization of sql queries. This creates an exploitable condition where attacker-controlled input directly influences the sql execution context. The vulnerability operates at the application layer and leverages the principle of insufficient input sanitization, which maps to cwe-89 sql injection. Attackers can construct malicious payloads that manipulate the underlying database queries, potentially leading to data exfiltration, modification, or deletion of sensitive information.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft, as it provides attackers with persistent access to the underlying database infrastructure. Successful exploitation allows remote authenticated users to perform unauthorized database operations, potentially compromising the integrity and confidentiality of all data stored within the liferay portal environment. The vulnerability affects organizations using liferay portal versions that have not received the respective security patches, creating a significant risk for enterprises that have not yet applied the necessary updates. This type of vulnerability can be exploited to escalate privileges, extract user credentials, or manipulate content management systems. The attack surface is particularly concerning given that the vulnerability affects page template functionality, which is commonly used by administrators and content creators, making it accessible to users with legitimate access rights.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including applying the vendor-provided security patches for the affected liferay versions, implementing input validation controls at the application level, and monitoring for suspicious template creation activities. Security teams should also consider implementing web application firewalls to detect and block known sql injection patterns, while conducting thorough security assessments of the affected systems. The vulnerability aligns with attack techniques described in the mitre attack framework under initial access and execution phases, specifically targeting application layer vulnerabilities. Regular security updates and patch management processes should be strengthened to prevent similar issues, as this vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper input validation and parameterized queries in preventing sql injection attacks. Organizations should also implement database activity monitoring to detect unauthorized sql command execution and establish incident response procedures for handling such security events.