CVE-2017-1002022 in surveys Plugin
Summary
by MITRE
Vulnerability in wordpress plugin surveys v1.01.8, The code in questions.php does not sanitize the survey variable before placing it inside of an SQL query.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/16/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-1002022 resides within the WordPress plugin Surveys version 1.01.8, specifically in the questions.php file where inadequate input sanitization creates a critical security flaw. This issue represents a classic sql injection vulnerability that allows attackers to manipulate database queries through malicious input. The plugin's failure to properly sanitize the survey variable before incorporating it into sql commands exposes the underlying database to unauthorized access and potential data manipulation. The vulnerability stems from the plugin's insecure handling of user-supplied data, which is directly concatenated into sql statements without proper validation or escaping mechanisms.
The technical flaw manifests when the survey variable is processed within the sql query context, creating an opportunity for attackers to inject malicious sql code through crafted input parameters. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-89 which categorizes sql injection as a critical weakness in software applications. The lack of input validation and sanitization allows attackers to execute arbitrary sql commands against the database, potentially leading to data theft, modification, or complete database compromise. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it operates within a widely used content management system where plugins often have elevated privileges and access to sensitive data.
Operationally, this vulnerability presents significant risks to wordpress installations using the affected plugin, as it enables remote code execution and data exfiltration capabilities. Attackers can exploit this weakness to extract sensitive information from the database, modify survey results, or even gain administrative access to the wordpress installation. The impact extends beyond simple data theft to potential system compromise, as the vulnerability can be leveraged to escalate privileges and establish persistent access. This type of vulnerability commonly appears in the ATT&CK framework under the technique T1071.004 for application layer protocol usage and T1046 for network service discovery, as attackers often use such vulnerabilities to map and exploit target environments.
Mitigation strategies should include immediate patching of the Surveys plugin to version 1.01.9 or later, which addresses the input sanitization issue. System administrators should also implement proper input validation and output encoding mechanisms to prevent similar vulnerabilities in other components. Database access controls should be reviewed to ensure least privilege principles are enforced, and regular security audits should be conducted to identify and remediate similar issues. Additionally, implementing web application firewalls and sql injection detection systems can provide additional layers of protection against exploitation attempts. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper input sanitization and output encoding practices in preventing sql injection attacks, as outlined in OWASP Top 10 and other security standards.