CVE-2020-20692
📋 TL;DR
GilaCMS v1.11.4 contains a SQL injection vulnerability in the /src/core/controllers/cm.php file via the $_GET parameter. This allows attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands on the database. Any system running the vulnerable version of GilaCMS is affected.
💻 Affected Systems
- GilaCMS
📦 What is this software?
Gila Cms by Gilacms
⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact
Worst Case
Complete database compromise including data theft, data manipulation, authentication bypass, and potential remote code execution if database functions allow it.
Likely Case
Data exfiltration from the database, including sensitive user information, configuration data, and potentially administrative credentials.
If Mitigated
Limited impact with proper input validation and parameterized queries preventing SQL injection.
🎯 Exploit Status
The vulnerability is in a $_GET parameter, making it easily exploitable via crafted URLs.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: v1.11.5 or later
Vendor Advisory: https://github.com/GilaCMS/gila/issues/50
Restart Required: No
Instructions:
1. Backup your current installation and database. 2. Download the latest version from the official repository. 3. Replace the vulnerable file /src/core/controllers/cm.php with the patched version. 4. Verify the fix by testing the affected endpoint.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Input Validation Filter
allAdd input validation to sanitize $_GET parameters before processing.
Modify /src/core/controllers/cm.php to validate and sanitize all user inputs
Web Application Firewall (WAF)
allDeploy a WAF with SQL injection protection rules.
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Restrict access to the vulnerable endpoint using network ACLs or web server configuration.
- Implement database user privilege restrictions to limit potential damage from SQL injection.
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check if your GilaCMS version is v1.11.4 and examine the /src/core/controllers/cm.php file for lack of input validation on $_GET parameters.Check Version:
Check the version in the GilaCMS admin panel or examine the version file if present.Verify Fix Applied:
Test the affected endpoint with SQL injection payloads and verify they are rejected or sanitized.📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Unusual SQL queries in database logs
- Multiple requests to /src/core/controllers/cm.php with suspicious parameters
Network Indicators:
- HTTP requests containing SQL keywords (SELECT, UNION, etc.) in URL parameters
SIEM Query:
source="web_logs" AND url="*cm.php*" AND (param="*SELECT*" OR param="*UNION*" OR param="*OR 1=1*")