CVE-2017-11174 in Xoops
Summary
by MITRE
In install/page_dbsettings.php in the Core distribution of XOOPS 2.5.8.1, unfiltered data passed to CREATE and ALTER SQL queries caused SQL Injection in the database settings page, related to use of GBK in CHARACTER SET and COLLATE clauses.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/25/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-11174 resides within the Core distribution of XOOPS version 2.5.8.1, specifically in the install/page_dbsettings.php file. This represents a critical SQL injection flaw that emerges from improper input validation during database configuration setup processes. The vulnerability manifests when user-supplied data is directly incorporated into SQL queries without adequate sanitization or filtering mechanisms, creating an exploitable condition that allows attackers to manipulate database operations.
The technical flaw stems from the application's handling of character set specifications within SQL CREATE and ALTER statements, particularly when GBK encoding is utilized in CHARACTER SET and COLLATE clauses. When administrators configure database settings through the installation interface, the system accepts user input for character set parameters without proper validation or escaping. This allows malicious actors to inject arbitrary SQL commands that bypass normal input filtering, as the GBK character encoding can be manipulated to contain SQL injection payloads that are not properly neutralized.
This vulnerability operates under the Common Weakness Enumeration framework as CWE-89, which classifies it as a SQL Injection weakness. The attack vector specifically aligns with ATT&CK technique T1190, which describes the exploitation of vulnerabilities in web applications through SQL injection. The operational impact is severe as successful exploitation enables attackers to execute arbitrary database commands, potentially leading to complete database compromise, data exfiltration, and unauthorized access to sensitive information stored within the XOOPS application environment.
The implications extend beyond immediate database compromise to include potential privilege escalation and persistence mechanisms within the compromised system. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to manipulate database schemas, extract confidential user data, modify application behavior, and establish backdoors for continued access. The vulnerability affects all installations using the affected XOOPS version where database configuration occurs through the web interface, making it particularly dangerous in environments where multiple administrators might interact with the setup process.
Mitigation strategies should prioritize immediate patching of the affected XOOPS version to the latest available release that addresses this vulnerability. Organizations should implement proper input validation and sanitization for all database configuration parameters, particularly those related to character set specifications. Additional protective measures include restricting access to installation interfaces, implementing web application firewalls to detect and block SQL injection attempts, and conducting comprehensive security audits of database configuration processes. The vulnerability underscores the importance of proper parameterized queries and input validation in database interaction code, particularly when handling encoding specifications that may contain exploitable characteristics.