CVE-2016-10731 in ProjectSend
Summary
by MITRE
ProjectSend (formerly cFTP) r582 allows SQL injection via manage-files.php with the request parameter status, manage-files.php with the request parameter files, clients.php with the request parameter selected_clients, clients.php with the request parameter status, process-zip-download.php with the request parameter file, or home-log.php with the request parameter action.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/07/2020
ProjectSend r582 contains multiple sql injection vulnerabilities that stem from insufficient input validation and improper parameter handling across several key php scripts. The vulnerability occurs when user-supplied data from http request parameters is directly incorporated into sql queries without adequate sanitization or escaping mechanisms. This flaw affects manage-files.php where the status and files parameters are processed, clients.php with selected_clients and status parameters, process-zip-download.php with the file parameter, and home-log.php with the action parameter. The absence of proper input validation creates an attack surface where malicious actors can inject arbitrary sql commands that execute within the database context, potentially leading to unauthorized data access, modification, or deletion.
The technical exploitation of these vulnerabilities follows standard sql injection attack patterns where crafted malicious input can manipulate the sql query execution flow. When the application processes user input through these parameters, the sql injection occurs because the application fails to implement proper parameterized queries or input sanitization. The vulnerability aligns with common weakness enumeration cw311 which categorizes improper input validation as a fundamental security flaw. Attackers can leverage these entry points to extract sensitive information from the database, including user credentials, file metadata, and system configurations. The impact extends beyond simple data theft as attackers may escalate privileges, modify database records, or even gain shell access depending on the database configuration and permissions.
The operational consequences of this vulnerability are severe for organizations using ProjectSend r582 as it provides attackers with direct database access capabilities. System administrators may face unauthorized modifications to file access controls, client information tampering, and potential data breaches that could compromise sensitive business information. The vulnerability affects core application functionality since all the affected scripts handle critical operations including file management, client relationship handling, and system logging. Organizations may experience service disruption, compliance violations, and reputational damage if attackers exploit these vulnerabilities to compromise the system integrity. The attack vector is particularly concerning because it requires no privileged access and can be executed through standard web browser interactions, making it accessible to attackers with minimal technical expertise.
Mitigation strategies should focus on implementing comprehensive input validation and parameterized query execution throughout the application codebase. All affected scripts must be updated to use prepared statements with bound parameters instead of direct string concatenation into sql queries. Input sanitization should be implemented at multiple layers including application-level filtering and output encoding for database interactions. The application should enforce strict parameter validation and reject any input that contains sql keywords or suspicious character patterns. Security patches should be applied immediately to address the specific vulnerable parameters identified in the affected scripts, with additional monitoring implemented to detect potential exploitation attempts. Organizations should also implement web application firewalls to provide additional protection layers and conduct thorough code reviews to identify similar vulnerabilities in other application components. The remediation process must follow established security practices including thorough testing of patched code to ensure functionality is maintained while eliminating the security flaws.