CVE-2021-40961 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

This CVE-2021-40961 article provides insights into a SQL injection vulnerability affecting CMS Made Simple <=2.2.15.

Understanding CVE-2021-40961

This section delves into the details of CVE-2021-40961, a SQL injection vulnerability in CMS Made Simple.

What is CVE-2021-40961?

CVE-2021-40961 is a SQL injection vulnerability present in CMS Made Simple version <=2.2.15. The issue arises in the function.admin_articlestab.php file where the $sortby variable is not properly sanitized, allowing for arbitrary SQL injection.

The Impact of CVE-2021-40961

This vulnerability enables attackers to inject malicious SQL queries, potentially leading to data exfiltration, data manipulation, or unauthorized access within affected CMS Made Simple installations.

Technical Details of CVE-2021-40961

This section highlights the technical aspects of CVE-2021-40961.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability exists due to improper input validation in the $sortby variable, allowing attackers to inject malicious SQL code.

Affected Systems and Versions

Vendor: n/a
Product: n/a
Versions Affected: <=2.2.15

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers can exploit this vulnerability by injecting SQL commands directly into the $sortby parameter, leading to unauthorized database access.

Mitigation and Prevention

Learn how to mitigate the risks associated with CVE-2021-40961.

Immediate Steps to Take

Consider upgrading CMS Made Simple to a patched version beyond 2.2.15.
Implement input validation mechanisms to prevent SQL injection attacks.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update and patch CMS Made Simple to address security vulnerabilities.
Conduct security assessments and penetration testing to identify and remediate potential vulnerabilities.

Patching and Updates

Ensure timely installation of security updates and patches provided by the CMS Made Simple project to prevent exploitation of this vulnerability.