Security readout for executives and security teams
Plain-English summary
CVE-2016-15020 is a SQL injection issue in liftkit/database versions 2.13.0 and 2.13.1. It affects order-by query handling and could let an authenticated user influence database queries if an application exposes that path. The provided sources identify version 2.13.2 as the fix.
Executive priority
Address during normal vulnerability remediation unless the affected library is used in sensitive applications or exposed to broad authenticated users. Escalate if business data integrity or customer-facing workflows depend on affected ordering queries.
Technical view
The issue is mapped to CWE-89 in src/Query/Query.php, function processOrderBy. The CVSS 3.1 vector is AV:A/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:L/I:L/A:L, score 5.5. Sources cite patch commit 42ec8f2b22e0b0b98fb5b4444ed451c1b21d125a and release v2.13.2.
Likely exposure
Exposure appears limited to applications using liftkit/database 2.13.0 or 2.13.1 where a privileged or authenticated user can affect order-by inputs. The CVSS vector indicates adjacent network access and low privileges are required.
Exploitation context
The provided bundle does not show CISA KEV listing or active exploitation evidence. VulDB classifies the issue as critical, while the supplied CVSS score is medium. Treat exploit status as unconfirmed from these sources.
Researcher notes
Evidence is specific to liftkit/database processOrderBy and the v2.13.2 patch. The bundle does not provide proof-of-concept detail, observed exploitation, or downstream product impact, so exposure must be confirmed through dependency and code-path review.
Mitigation direction
- Upgrade liftkit/database to version 2.13.2.
- Prioritize systems using versions 2.13.0 or 2.13.1.
- Review the referenced patch and release notes before deployment.
- If upgrade is delayed, check vendor guidance for interim handling.
Validation and detection
- Inventory package manifests and lockfiles for liftkit/database versions.
- Confirm deployed systems are no longer on 2.13.0 or 2.13.1.
- Verify the patched processOrderBy implementation is present.
- Review application paths that expose sort or order controls.
- Run regression tests for database ordering behavior after upgrade.
Public sources used
Generated from the cited source records. This long-tail analysis has not been individually reviewed by a named human.
Conservative CVE-to-ATT&CK context
These mappings and lookup hints may be relevant to the vulnerability behavior, CWE, affected product, or exposure path. Glexia-inferred context is not an official MITRE, ATT&CK, CWE, or CVE Program mapping.
ATT&CK lookup starting points
Use these exact CWE pages and searches to review the Glexia ATT&CK library from this CVE's weakness and description context.
CWE-89: Database access and collection lookup
Injection into data stores can inform collection, data access, and exfiltration detection reviews. Open the exact CWE lookup page first, then review the ATT&CK searches from that MITRE weakness context. This is a Glexia lookup hint, not an official ATT&CK mapping.
Open ATT&CK lookupDatabase behavior lookup
The CVE wording references database injection or access, so collection and exfiltration review may help. This is a Glexia inferred lookup path, not an official MITRE, ATT&CK, or CVE Program mapping.
Open ATT&CK lookupCVE-2016-15020 mapping review
Open the CVE-to-ATT&CK bridge for reviewed, inferred, or future official mappings tied to this CVE.
Open ATT&CK lookup- Severity
- Medium
- CVSS
- 5.5 (3.1)
- Known Exploited
- No
- Published
Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:A/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:L/I:L/A:L
CNA and ADP enrichment extracted from CVE v5
These fields come from the CVE record and ADP containers, not from Glexia's Take. They preserve time-varying source decisions such as CISA SSVC, KEV status, CVSS metrics, and provider references.
CVSS vector scores
1 official scoreWe collect every scored CVSS vector available in the official CNA and ADP containers. When more than one version is present, the table keeps the source vectors side by side instead of collapsing them into the highest score.
CVSS:3.1/AV:A/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:L/I:L/A:L2.13.4Primary CVE scoreVulnerability scoring details
Base CVSS 3.1 score
5.5MediumVector: CVSS:3.1/AV:A/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:L/I:L/A:L
Source materials
- CVE List V5 sourceCVE List V5
- https://vuldb.com/?id.218391CVE reference · vdb-entry, technical-description
- https://vuldb.com/?ctiid.218391CVE reference · signature, permissions-required
- https://github.com/liftkit/database/commit/42ec8f2b22e0b0b98fb5b4444ed451c1b21d125aCVE reference · patch
- https://github.com/liftkit/database/releases/tag/v2.13.2CVE reference · patch
Products and packages named in the record
CWE details
CWE links open Glexia weakness intelligence pages with official CWE context, developer remediation guidance, and related CVE mappings.
Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an SQL Command ('SQL Injection')
Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an SQL Command ('SQL Injection') represents a recurring weakness pattern that can create exploitable paths when design, validation, or implementation controls are missing.