CVE-2012-6654 in ZPanel
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple SQL injection vulnerabilities in ZPanel 10.0.1 and earlier allow remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via the (1) resetkey or (2) inConfEmail parameter to index.php, a different vulnerability than CVE-2012-5685.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/11/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2012-6654 represents a critical SQL injection flaw affecting ZPanel versions 10.0.1 and earlier, specifically targeting the web-based control panel interface. This vulnerability manifests through two distinct attack vectors involving the resetkey and inConfEmail parameters within the index.php file, creating multiple pathways for malicious actors to exploit the system. The flaw demonstrates a classic lack of proper input validation and sanitization in the application's user authentication and configuration management components.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from the application's failure to properly escape or validate user-supplied input before incorporating it into SQL query constructs. When attackers manipulate the resetkey or inConfEmail parameters through crafted HTTP requests, the application directly interpolates these values into database queries without adequate sanitization measures. This allows attackers to inject malicious SQL syntax that can be executed within the database context, potentially enabling full database compromise and unauthorized access to sensitive user information, configuration data, and system credentials.
The operational impact of CVE-2012-6654 extends beyond simple data theft, as successful exploitation can lead to complete system compromise and persistent backdoor access. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to escalate privileges, modify user accounts, extract confidential information, and potentially establish persistent access points within the target environment. The vulnerability's remote exploitability means that attackers can target the system from anywhere on the internet without requiring local access or credentials, making it particularly dangerous for web-facing applications. This weakness aligns with CWE-89, which categorizes SQL injection vulnerabilities as a fundamental flaw in input validation and data sanitization processes.
From an adversarial perspective, this vulnerability maps to several ATT&CK techniques including T1190 for exploiting vulnerabilities in web applications, T1071.004 for application layer protocol usage, and T1005 for data from local system storage. The attack surface is particularly concerning given that ZPanel was commonly used for web hosting management, making it a prime target for attackers seeking to compromise hosting environments and gain access to multiple customer accounts. Organizations running affected versions should immediately implement mitigations including input validation, parameterized queries, and access controls, while also considering the broader implications of using outdated software platforms that may contain multiple unpatched vulnerabilities.
The vulnerability landscape for CVE-2012-6654 highlights the importance of maintaining current security practices and regular software updates, as the affected ZPanel versions were released well before modern security standards were widely adopted. This particular flaw demonstrates how legacy web applications often contain multiple interconnected vulnerabilities that can be exploited in combination to achieve significant system compromise, emphasizing the need for comprehensive security assessments and vulnerability management programs.