CVE-2017-5344

CRITICAL

dotcms < 3.6.1 - Unauthenticated SQL Injection via categoriesServlet q/inode Parameters

Title source: llm
STIX 2.1

Exploitation Summary

EIP tracks 1 public exploit for CVE-2017-5344. PoCs published by Ben Nott.

AI-analyzed exploit summary This is a blind boolean SQL injection exploit for dotCMS <= 3.6.1 (CVE-2017-5344). It targets the `/categoriesServlet` endpoint with crafted payloads to exfiltrate user credentials from the database.

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.

Exploits (1)

exploitdb WORKING POC VERIFIED
by Ben Nott · bashwebappsphp
https://www.exploit-db.com/exploits/41377

This is a blind boolean SQL injection exploit for dotCMS <= 3.6.1 (CVE-2017-5344). It targets the `/categoriesServlet` endpoint with crafted payloads to exfiltrate user credentials from the database.

Classification
Working Poc 95%
Attack Type
Sqli
Complexity
Moderate
Reliability
Reliable
Target: dotCMS <= 3.6.1
No auth needed
Prerequisites: Access to the `/categoriesServlet` endpoint · MySQL or PostgreSQL backend
devstral-2 · analyzed Feb 16, 2026 Full analysis →

References (5)

Core 5
Core References
Third Party Advisory, VDB Entry vdb-entry x_refsource_bid
http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/96259
Exploit, Mailing List, Third Party Advisory x_refsource_misc
http://seclists.org/fulldisclosure/2017/Feb/34
Vendor Advisory x_refsource_misc
http://dotcms.com/security/SI-39
Exploit, Third Party Advisory exploit x_refsource_exploit-db
https://www.exploit-db.com/exploits/41377/

Scores

CVSS v3 9.8
EPSS 0.0630
EPSS Percentile 92.7%
Attack Vector NETWORK
CVSS:3.0/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H

Details

CWE
CWE-89
Status published
Products (1)
dotcms/dotcms < 3.6.1
Published Feb 17, 2017
Tracked Since Feb 18, 2026