CVE-2020-37053
📋 TL;DR
Navigate CMS 2.8.7 contains an authenticated SQL injection vulnerability in the 'sidx' parameter of comments functionality. Attackers with valid credentials can exploit this to extract database information, including user activation keys, potentially enabling administrative password resets. All users running vulnerable versions are affected.
💻 Affected Systems
- Navigate CMS
📦 What is this software?
Navigate Cms by Naviwebs
⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact
Worst Case
Attackers gain administrative access, compromise the entire CMS installation, and potentially pivot to other systems.
Likely Case
Data exfiltration including user credentials, activation keys, and sensitive database information leading to account takeover.
If Mitigated
Limited data exposure if proper input validation and WAF rules are in place.
🎯 Exploit Status
Exploit available on Exploit-DB (ID 48545) demonstrates time-based blind SQL injection
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: Navigate CMS 2.9 or later
Vendor Advisory: https://www.navigatecms.com/en/home
Restart Required: No
Instructions:
1. Backup your current installation. 2. Download latest version from navigatecms.com. 3. Replace vulnerable files with patched version. 4. Verify functionality.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Input Validation Filter
allAdd server-side validation for 'sidx' parameter to allow only alphanumeric characters
Modify comments.php to validate sidx parameter before processing
WAF Rule
allImplement web application firewall rule to block SQL injection patterns in sidx parameter
Add WAF rule: Detect and block SQL keywords in sidx parameter
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Restrict access to CMS admin interface to trusted IP addresses only
- Implement strong authentication controls and monitor for unusual SQL query patterns
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check if running Navigate CMS version 2.8.7 or earlier by reviewing version filesCheck Version:
Check /lib/version.php or admin panel for version informationVerify Fix Applied:
Verify installation is updated to version 2.9 or later and test sidx parameter with SQL injection payloads📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Unusual SQL queries in database logs
- Multiple failed login attempts followed by comments access
Network Indicators:
- HTTP requests with SQL injection patterns in sidx parameter
- Time-delayed responses from comments endpoint
SIEM Query:
source="web_logs" AND (sidx CONTAINS "' OR" OR sidx CONTAINS "SLEEP" OR sidx CONTAINS "BENCHMARK")