CVE-2021-36455
📋 TL;DR
This SQL injection vulnerability in Navigate CMS allows attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands through the quicksearch parameter in the comments module. It affects all users running Navigate CMS version 2.9, potentially leading to data theft, modification, or deletion.
💻 Affected Systems
- Navigate CMS
📦 What is this software?
Navigate Cms by Naviwebs
⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact
Worst Case
Complete database compromise including administrative credentials, sensitive data exfiltration, and potential remote code execution via database functions.
Likely Case
Unauthorized data access, privilege escalation, and database manipulation leading to site defacement or data corruption.
If Mitigated
Limited impact with proper input validation and parameterized queries preventing successful exploitation.
🎯 Exploit Status
SQL injection via GET/POST parameter requires minimal technical skill to exploit.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: Navigate CMS 2.9.4
Vendor Advisory: https://www.navigatecms.com/en/blog/development/navigate_cms_update_2_9_4
Restart Required: No
Instructions:
1. Backup your database and files. 2. Download Navigate CMS 2.9.4 from the official website. 3. Replace the affected file: lib/packages/comments/comments.php. 4. Verify the fix by checking the version in the admin panel.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Disable Comments Module
allTemporarily disable the vulnerable comments module to prevent exploitation.
Navigate to Admin Panel > Modules > Comments > Disable
Web Application Firewall Rule
allBlock SQL injection patterns in the quicksearch parameter.
Add WAF rule: Block requests containing SQL keywords in quicksearch parameter
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Implement strict input validation for the quicksearch parameter to allow only alphanumeric characters.
- Deploy a web application firewall with SQL injection detection rules.
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check if running Navigate CMS version 2.9 and if lib/packages/comments/comments.php contains unparameterized SQL queries with quicksearch parameter.Check Version:
Check admin panel dashboard or view config.php for version information.Verify Fix Applied:
Verify version is 2.9.4 or higher and check that comments.php uses prepared statements for SQL queries.📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Unusual SQL errors in web server logs
- Multiple rapid requests to comments.php with suspicious quicksearch values
- Database error messages containing SQL syntax
Network Indicators:
- HTTP requests with SQL keywords in quicksearch parameter
- Unusual database connection patterns from web server
SIEM Query:
source="web_logs" AND (uri="*comments.php*" AND (param="*quicksearch*SELECT*" OR param="*quicksearch*UNION*" OR param="*quicksearch*OR*"))