# CVE-2017-5344: SQL injection in n/a

> Unauthenticated attackers can exploit SQL injection in dotCMS categoriesServlet to read or modify database contents via blind boolean vectors.

- **Severity:** Critical 9.8 (`CVSS:3.0/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H`)
- **Exploited in the wild:** Not known
- **Login needed:** Not needed
- **Attackable:** Over the internet
- **Victim action needed:** Not needed
- **Fix available:** No
- **Published:** 17 Feb 2017
- **Updated:** 5 Aug 2024
- **Also known as:** GHSA-fg7c-gm2c-26m5

## What is CVE-2017-5344?

CVE-2017-5344 is a critical SQL injection vulnerability in Dotcms Dotcms, published on 17 Feb 2017. An attacker can exploit it over the internet without logging in, with no action from the victim.

### Official description

An issue was discovered in dotCMS through 3.6.1. The findChildrenByFilter() function which is called by the web accessible path /categoriesServlet performs string interpolation and direct SQL query execution. SQL quote escaping and a keyword blacklist were implemented in a new class, SQLUtil (main/java/com/dotmarketing/common/util/SQLUtil.java), as part of the remediation of CVE-2016-8902; however, these can be overcome in the case of the q and inode parameters to the /categoriesServlet path. Overcoming these controls permits a number of blind boolean SQL injection vectors in either parameter. The /categoriesServlet web path can be accessed remotely and without authentication in a default dotCMS deployment.

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

## Which versions are affected by CVE-2017-5344?

It affects 1 product.


Products: Dotcms Dotcms.

## How do I fix CVE-2017-5344?

No fix has been published for CVE-2017-5344 yet. Limit exposure of the affected software until one is available.

## Is CVE-2017-5344 being exploited?

It is not confirmed as exploited in the wild, but public exploit code for CVE-2017-5344 exists.

Public exploit code:

- dotCMS 3.6.1 - Blind Boolean SQL Injection (exploitdb)

## Other vulnerabilities in Dotcms Dotcms

- [CVE-2022-26352](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2022-26352/): dotCMS Unrestricted Upload of File (critical 9.8, exploited in the wild)
- [CVE-2020-19138](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2020-19138/): File upload in n/a (critical 9.8)
- [CVE-2020-6754](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2020-6754/): Path traversal in n/a (critical 9.8)
- [CVE-2016-2355](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2016-2355/): SQL injection in n/a (critical 9.8)
- [CVE-2016-8902](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2016-8902/): SQL injection in n/a (critical 9.8)

## Fix prompt for AI coding agents

```text
Check this codebase for CVE-2017-5344 and fix it if it is affected.

What it is: CVE-2017-5344 is a critical SQL injection vulnerability in Dotcms Dotcms, published on 17 Feb 2017. An attacker can exploit it over the internet without logging in, with no action from the victim.
Exploitation: It is not confirmed as exploited in the wild, but public exploit code for CVE-2017-5344 exists.

Affected product: Dotcms Dotcms. No package-level version data is available, so check the vendor advisory linked from the reference page.

Task:
1. Search the dependency manifests and lockfiles (for example package.json, package-lock.json, requirements.txt, poetry.lock, uv.lock, pom.xml, build.gradle, go.mod, Cargo.lock, Gemfile.lock) and any Dockerfiles for the affected packages, including transitive dependencies.
2. If an affected version is in use, upgrade it to the fixed version for its release line with the project's package manager, so the lockfile is regenerated. Prefer the smallest upgrade that fixes it.
3. If there is no fix, or the upgrade would break the build, do not guess: explain the risk and the safest workaround instead.
4. Run the tests and summarise what changed and why.
5. If nothing in the project is affected, say so and change nothing.

Reference: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2017-5344/ (Markdown: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2017-5344/index.md)
```

## Sources

- CVE record: https://www.cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2017-5344
- NVD: https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2017-5344
- OSV: https://osv.dev/vulnerability/CVE-2017-5344

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From sbomify Insights: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2017-5344/
Summaries are generated and may contain mistakes; the official description above is the record.