CVE-2017-15949 in PHP Management Panel
Summary
by MITRE
Xavier PHP Management Panel 2.4 allows SQL injection via the usertoedit parameter to admin/adminuseredit.php or the log_id parameter to admin/editgroup.php.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/01/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-15949 affects the Xavier PHP Management Panel version 2.4, representing a critical SQL injection flaw that compromises the integrity of the application's database layer. This vulnerability exists within the administrative interfaces of the panel, specifically targeting two distinct endpoints that handle user management and group editing functionalities. The flaw stems from insufficient input validation and sanitization practices within the PHP application code, allowing malicious actors to inject arbitrary SQL commands through carefully crafted parameters. The vulnerability impacts the security posture of systems utilizing this management panel by potentially enabling unauthorized data access, modification, or deletion operations.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability manifests through two primary attack vectors that exploit improper parameter handling within the administrative backend. The first vector involves the usertoedit parameter within the admin/adminuseredit.php endpoint, while the second targets the log_id parameter in admin/editgroup.php. Both parameters fail to properly sanitize user input before incorporating them into database queries, creating opportunities for attackers to manipulate the underlying SQL execution flow. This type of vulnerability directly maps to CWE-89, which defines SQL injection as the insertion of malicious SQL code into input fields for execution by the database. The attack surface is particularly concerning because it targets administrative functions, potentially allowing threat actors to escalate privileges or gain unauthorized access to sensitive user data.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data compromise, as it provides attackers with the capability to perform extensive database manipulation operations. Successful exploitation could enable attackers to extract confidential information such as user credentials, personal data, and system configurations from the underlying database. Additionally, the vulnerability may allow for data modification or deletion, potentially causing service disruption or data loss within the affected systems. The administrative nature of the targeted endpoints means that exploitation could result in complete system compromise, as attackers might gain access to user accounts, modify system configurations, or even escalate privileges to gain full administrative control over the management panel and potentially the underlying infrastructure. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1078 which covers valid accounts and privilege escalation through exploitation of administrative interfaces.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-15949 should prioritize immediate patching of the affected Xavier PHP Management Panel version 2.4 to address the identified SQL injection vulnerabilities. Organizations should implement proper input validation and parameterized queries throughout the application codebase to prevent similar issues from occurring in the future. The implementation of web application firewalls and security monitoring systems can provide additional layers of protection by detecting and blocking malicious SQL injection attempts. Regular security assessments and code reviews should be conducted to identify and remediate similar vulnerabilities within the application's codebase. System administrators should also consider implementing least privilege access controls for administrative interfaces and regularly audit user access logs to detect potential unauthorized access attempts. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of adhering to secure coding practices and following industry standards such as those outlined in the OWASP Top Ten project, which emphasizes the critical nature of preventing injection flaws in web applications.