CVE-2017-5344
CVE-2017-5344 is a critical-severity vulnerability in Dotcms with a CVSS 3.x base score of 9.8. It is not currently listed as actively exploited by CISA, and its EPSS exploit-prediction score is low. The underlying weakness is classified as CWE-89.
Key facts
- Severity: Critical (CVSS 3.x base score 9.8)
- CVSS v2: 7.5
- EPSS exploit prediction: 6% (93rd percentile)
- Actively exploited: Not listed in CISA KEV
- Weakness: CWE-89
- Affected product: Dotcms
- Published:
- Last modified:
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.
Frequently asked questions
- What is CVE-2017-5344?
- 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.
- How severe is CVE-2017-5344?
- CVE-2017-5344 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 9.8, rated critical severity. It is exploitable over network with low attack complexity, requires no privileges and no user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is high, integrity high, and availability high.
- Is CVE-2017-5344 being actively exploited?
- It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 6% (93rd percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.
- What products are affected by CVE-2017-5344?
- CVE-2017-5344 affects Dotcms. See the affected-products list for the exact vulnerable versions.
- How do I fix CVE-2017-5344?
- Review the linked vendor and NVD advisories for patched versions and mitigations, then upgrade or apply the recommended workaround. Given its critical severity, prioritise patching exposed systems.
- When was CVE-2017-5344 published?
- CVE-2017-5344 was published on 2017-02-17 and last updated on 2026-06-17.
References
- http://dotcms.com/security/SI-39
- http://seclists.org/fulldisclosure/2017/Feb/34
- http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/96259
- https://github.com/xdrr/webapp-exploits/blob/master/vendors/dotcms/2017.01.blind-sqli/dotcms-dump.sh
- https://www.exploit-db.com/exploits/41377/
Affected products (1)
- cpe:2.3:a:dotcms:dotcms:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
More vulnerabilities in Dotcms
- CVE-2025-11165 — Critical (CVSS 9.9): A sandbox escape vulnerability exists in dotCMS’s Velocity scripting engine (VTools) that allows authenticated users…
- CVE-2022-26352 — Critical (CVSS 9.8): An issue was discovered in the ContentResource API in dotCMS 3.0 through 22.02. Attackers can craft a multipart form…
- CVE-2020-19138 — Critical (CVSS 9.8): Unrestricted Upload of File with Dangerous Type in DotCMS v5.2.3 and earlier allow remote attackers to execute…
- CVE-2020-6754 — Critical (CVSS 9.8): dotCMS before 5.2.4 is vulnerable to directory traversal, leading to incorrect access control. It allows an attacker to…
- CVE-2016-2355 — Critical (CVSS 9.8): SQL injection vulnerability in the REST API in dotCMS before 3.3.2 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL…
- CVE-2016-8902 — Critical (CVSS 9.8): SQL injection vulnerability in the categoriesServlet servlet in dotCMS before 3.3.1 allows remote not authenticated…
Other CWE-89 (SQL Injection) vulnerabilities
- CVE-2026-20030 — Critical (CVSS 10.0): As part of Cisco's ongoing commitment to proactive security and product quality, the Cisco Crosswork engineering team…
- CVE-2026-72811 — Critical (CVSS 10.0): SiYuan versions <= v3.7.2 contain a SQL injection vulnerability in the backlink/mention search query…
- CVE-2026-72851 — Critical (CVSS 10.0): Budibase before 3.40.0 contains an unauthenticated SQL injection vulnerability in webhook-triggered automations with…
- CVE-2026-72899 — Critical (CVSS 10.0): Metabase allows an unauthenticated attacker to inject arbitrary SQL via a publicly shared card or dashboard that…
- CVE-2026-72898 — Critical (CVSS 10.0): Metabase allows a remote, unauthenticated attacker to inject arbitrary SQL via the '/reset_password' database endpoint…
- CVE-2026-48330 — Critical (CVSS 10.0): Adobe Campaign Classic (ACC) is affected by an Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an SQL Command ('SQL…