CVE-2017-12909 in NexusPHP
Summary
by MITRE
SQL injection vulnerability in modtask.php in NexusPHP 1.5 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via the userid parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/07/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-12909 represents a critical sql injection flaw within the nexusphp 1.5 content management system specifically affecting the modtask.php component. This weakness resides in how the application processes user input through the userid parameter, creating an avenue for malicious actors to manipulate database queries and potentially gain unauthorized access to sensitive information. The vulnerability falls under the category of cwe-89 sql injection as defined by the common weakness enumeration framework, which categorizes it as a direct injection attack where untrusted data is incorporated into sql commands without proper sanitization or parameterization. The attack vector is remote, meaning that adversaries can exploit this vulnerability from outside the network perimeter without requiring physical access or prior authentication.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and sanitization within the modtask.php script. When a user submits data through the userid parameter, the application fails to properly escape or parameterize the input before incorporating it into sql query constructs. This allows attackers to inject malicious sql fragments that can alter the intended query behavior, potentially enabling data extraction, modification, or deletion operations. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it operates at the database interaction layer, where successful exploitation can lead to complete database compromise and unauthorized access to all stored information including user credentials, personal data, and system configurations. Attackers can leverage this weakness to perform union-based sql injection techniques, error-based exploitation, or blind sql injection methods depending on the database system in use.
The operational impact of CVE-2017-12909 extends beyond simple data theft to encompass potential system compromise and business disruption. Successful exploitation can result in unauthorized data access, data manipulation, and in severe cases, complete database takeover. Organizations running affected nexusphp 1.5 installations face significant risks including regulatory compliance violations, reputational damage, and potential legal consequences due to data breaches. The vulnerability's remote nature means that threat actors can exploit it from anywhere on the internet, making it particularly dangerous for organizations that do not maintain proper network segmentation or intrusion detection measures. Additionally, the exploitation of this vulnerability can serve as a stepping stone for further attacks within the network, as attackers may use the compromised system as a pivot point to target other internal resources.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-12909 should prioritize immediate patching of the affected nexusphp 1.5 version to address the sql injection vulnerability. Organizations must implement proper input validation and sanitization measures, ensuring that all user-supplied data is properly escaped or parameterized before database interaction. The implementation of prepared statements and parameterized queries should be enforced throughout the application codebase to prevent similar vulnerabilities from occurring. Network security controls including web application firewalls and intrusion prevention systems can provide additional layers of protection by monitoring for suspicious sql injection patterns. Regular security assessments and code reviews should be conducted to identify and remediate similar input validation weaknesses. Organizations should also consider implementing database activity monitoring and access controls to detect unauthorized database access attempts. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of adhering to secure coding practices and following established security frameworks such as the owasp top ten and the mitre attack framework, which categorizes this type of vulnerability under the execution and privilege escalation categories. Regular vulnerability scanning and penetration testing should be part of the ongoing security program to identify and remediate similar sql injection vulnerabilities across the entire application portfolio.