CVE-2024-44725: AutoCMS SQL Injection Vulnerability

CVE-2024-44725 Overview

CVE-2024-44725 is a SQL injection vulnerability in AutoCMS v5.4. The flaw exists in the administrative interface at /admin/robot.php and is triggered through the sidebar parameter. An authenticated attacker with high privileges can inject arbitrary SQL statements into backend database queries.

Successful exploitation compromises the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of the underlying database. The weakness is classified under CWE-89: Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an SQL Command.

Critical Impact
Authenticated attackers can execute arbitrary SQL queries against the AutoCMS database, leading to full data exposure, modification, or destruction.

Affected Products

AutoCMS v5.4
autocms_project:autocms version 5.4
Deployments exposing /admin/robot.php to network-reachable users

Discovery Timeline

2024-09-09 - CVE-2024-44725 published to the National Vulnerability Database (NVD)
2026-06-17 - Last updated in NVD database

Technical Details for CVE-2024-44725

Vulnerability Analysis

AutoCMS v5.4 fails to sanitize user-supplied input passed through the sidebar parameter of /admin/robot.php. The parameter is concatenated directly into a SQL query executed against the backend database. Because no parameterized queries or input validation are applied, malicious SQL fragments alter query semantics.

The endpoint resides in the administrative area, requiring valid administrator credentials to reach the vulnerable code path. Once authenticated, an attacker can enumerate database schemas, extract stored records, modify content, or drop tables. The impact extends beyond AutoCMS content, potentially exposing any data stored in the same database instance.

Root Cause

The root cause is direct concatenation of the sidebar request parameter into a SQL statement without prepared statements or escaping. This is a canonical [CWE-89] injection pattern common in PHP applications that build queries via string interpolation.

Attack Vector

Exploitation requires network access to the AutoCMS admin panel and valid administrator credentials. The attacker submits a crafted HTTP request containing malicious SQL payloads in the sidebar parameter. Because the query result set and error responses can leak data, both in-band and blind SQL injection techniques are viable.

No public proof-of-concept has been published beyond the GitHub Issue Report, which documents the vulnerable parameter and endpoint.

Detection Methods for CVE-2024-44725

Indicators of Compromise

HTTP requests to /admin/robot.php containing SQL metacharacters such as single quotes, UNION, SELECT, --, or SLEEP() in the sidebar parameter
Unexpected database errors in PHP or web server logs referencing robot.php
Administrative session activity originating from unusual IP addresses or geolocations
Anomalous outbound traffic from the AutoCMS host following admin panel access

Detection Strategies

Deploy web application firewall (WAF) rules that inspect the sidebar parameter for SQL injection patterns
Enable database query logging and alert on syntactically anomalous queries originating from the AutoCMS process
Correlate authentication logs with admin panel requests to flag brute-force or credential-stuffing precursors

Monitoring Recommendations

Log all requests to /admin/* endpoints and forward them to a centralized SIEM for retention and analysis
Monitor database user accounts used by AutoCMS for unusual SELECT, UPDATE, or DROP statements outside normal operations
Alert on repeated 500-level responses from robot.php, which often accompany SQL injection probing

How to Mitigate CVE-2024-44725

Immediate Actions Required

Restrict network access to /admin/robot.php using IP allowlists, VPN, or authenticated reverse proxies
Rotate all AutoCMS administrator credentials and enforce strong, unique passwords
Review AutoCMS and database logs for prior exploitation attempts against the sidebar parameter
Back up the AutoCMS database before applying any changes or investigating suspected compromise

Patch Information

No vendor patch is referenced in the NVD entry or the GitHub Issue Report at the time of publication. Organizations running AutoCMS v5.4 should treat the deployment as unpatched and apply compensating controls. Consider migrating to an actively maintained content management platform if the vendor does not respond.

Workarounds

Place a WAF in front of AutoCMS with rules blocking SQL injection payloads targeting the sidebar parameter
Limit the database account used by AutoCMS to the minimum privileges required, revoking DROP, ALTER, and cross-database access
Disable or remove /admin/robot.php if the functionality is not required by the deployment
Enforce multi-factor authentication on any reverse proxy or SSO layer fronting the admin panel

bash

# Example nginx configuration restricting access to the vulnerable endpoint
location = /admin/robot.php {
    allow 10.0.0.0/8;      # internal admin network
    deny all;
    include fastcgi_params;
    fastcgi_pass unix:/var/run/php-fpm.sock;
}