Quantum Secular Labs / Blog / Advisories

CVE-2016-9272: Exponent CMS: SQL injection

CVE-2016-9272 is rated critical with a CVSS v3.0 base score of 9.1 and affects Exponent CMS. Per its scoring, it can be exploited over the network, without authentication, without any user interaction.

Vulnerability description

A Blind SQL Injection Vulnerability in Exponent CMS through 2.4.0, with the rerank array parameter, can lead to site database information disclosure and denial of service.

Severity breakdown

CVSS v3.0 9.1: CVSS:3.0/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:N/A:H

Attack vector: Network. Exploitable remotely over the network, with no need for local or physical access.
Attack complexity: Low. No special conditions; the attack can be repeated reliably.
Privileges required: None. No account or prior access is needed.
User interaction: None. No action from any user is needed.
Scope: Unchanged. Impact stays within the vulnerable component.
Confidentiality impact: High. Total loss of confidentiality; sensitive data can be fully disclosed.
Integrity impact: None. No loss of integrity.
Availability impact: High. Total loss of availability; the component can be shut down.

Underlying weakness

CWE-89: Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an SQL Command

The product constructs all or part of an SQL command using externally-influenced input from an upstream component, but it does not neutralize or incorrectly neutralizes special elements that could modify the intended SQL command when it is sent to a downstream component. Without sufficient removal or quoting of SQL syntax in user-controllable inputs, the generated SQL query can cause those inputs to be interpreted as SQL instead of ordinary user data.

Affected products

Exponent CMS: up to and including 2.4.0