CVE-2026-79387 in PbootCMS
Summary
by MITRE • 09/09/2026
SQL injection vulnerability in PbootCMS versions 3.2.0 through 3.2.5 allows an authenticated user to modify arbitrary user account fields (including passwords and roles) via crafted parameters to the User/mod interface, enabling account takeover.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/09/2026
The identified security flaw resides within the core framework of PbootCMS, specifically affecting versions ranging from 3.2.0 through 3.2.5. This vulnerability is classified as a SQL injection issue that manifests when interacting with the User/mod interface, which is designed for managing user account details. Unlike many high-severity vulnerabilities that allow unauthenticated remote code execution or data exfiltration, this specific flaw requires an authenticated session to exploit. However, the requirement for authentication does not diminish its severity because it directly targets privilege escalation and account takeover mechanisms within administrative panels where trusted users operate. The root cause lies in insufficient input validation and sanitization of parameters passed during user modification requests, allowing malicious SQL commands to be injected into database queries executed by the backend application logic.
From a technical perspective, the vulnerability enables an attacker who has obtained valid credentials for any existing account on the PbootCMS instance to manipulate arbitrary fields within other user accounts stored in the underlying relational database. By crafting specific HTTP parameters that contain syntactically correct but semantically malicious SQL payloads, the attacker can bypass intended application logic and directly alter database records. This capability extends beyond simple data reading; it allows for write operations such as changing password hashes, elevating role permissions to administrator level, or modifying other critical account attributes. The lack of proper parameter binding or context-aware escaping in the User/mod endpoint means that user-supplied input is interpreted as part of the SQL command structure rather than as literal data values, leading to unintended database state changes.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe due to its direct implication on system integrity and access control. An attacker can perform account takeover by resetting the password of a high-privilege administrator account or modifying their role permissions to gain full administrative control over the CMS instance. Once elevated privileges are achieved, the attacker gains complete control over the web application environment, which may include the ability to upload malicious files, deface websites, inject backdoors into source code, and access sensitive data stored within the associated database such as customer information or internal business documents. This scenario represents a critical breach of confidentiality, integrity, and availability principles in cybersecurity frameworks.
In terms of industry standard classifications, this vulnerability aligns with CWE-89 SQL Injection, specifically involving improper neutralization of special elements used in an SQL command. Furthermore, the exploitation path corresponds to MITRE ATT&CK techniques related to Account Manipulation (T1098) and Privilege Escalation (T1078), as the attacker leverages existing valid credentials to modify account properties for unauthorized access or elevated privileges. The attack vector is classified as Network-based with an Authentication requirement, placing it in a category where insider threats or compromised low-privilege accounts pose significant risks to organizational security posture.
Mitigation strategies must focus on immediate remediation and long-term defensive measures. Administrators running affected versions of PbootCMS should upgrade immediately to the latest patched version that addresses this specific input validation flaw. In cases where upgrading is not immediately feasible, implementing a Web Application Firewall with rulesets capable of detecting SQL injection patterns in user modification parameters can provide temporary protection. Additionally, enforcing strict role-based access control and multi-factor authentication for administrative accounts reduces the likelihood of credential compromise leading to exploitation. Developers should also adopt secure coding practices such as using parameterized queries or prepared statements exclusively when interacting with databases, ensuring that all input is treated strictly as data rather than executable code logic.