CVE-2017-15973 in Social Network Script
Summary
by MITRE
Sokial Social Network Script 1.0 allows SQL Injection via the id parameter to admin/members_view.php.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/03/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-15973 represents a critical SQL injection flaw within the Sokial Social Network Script version 1.0, specifically affecting the admin/members_view.php component. This vulnerability resides in the application's handling of user input through the id parameter, which is processed without adequate sanitization or validation mechanisms. The flaw enables malicious actors to manipulate database queries by injecting arbitrary SQL code through the targeted parameter, potentially compromising the entire backend database infrastructure. Such vulnerabilities are particularly dangerous in web applications where administrative interfaces handle sensitive user data and system configurations.
The technical execution of this SQL injection attack exploits the application's failure to properly escape or parameterize user-supplied input before incorporating it into database queries. When an attacker submits a malicious id parameter value, the application processes this input directly within SQL command construction without appropriate input validation or sanitization measures. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-89, which categorizes SQL injection as a fundamental weakness in software design that allows attackers to manipulate database queries through untrusted input. The attack vector specifically targets the admin/members_view.php endpoint, suggesting that the vulnerability affects administrative functionality where user membership data is retrieved and displayed.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft, potentially enabling full database compromise including unauthorized access to user credentials, personal information, and administrative privileges. Attackers could leverage this vulnerability to escalate their privileges, modify user accounts, or even execute destructive operations on the database. The implications are particularly severe given that the vulnerability affects an administrative component, which typically holds elevated privileges and access to sensitive system resources. This weakness could facilitate lateral movement within the application's attack surface and provide a foothold for more extensive exploitation attempts, aligning with ATT&CK technique T1078 for valid accounts and T1046 for network service scanning.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-15973 should prioritize immediate implementation of parameterized queries or prepared statements to prevent SQL injection attacks from succeeding. The application code must be updated to sanitize all user inputs through proper validation and escaping mechanisms before processing database operations. Additionally, implementing proper input validation at the application level, including type checking and length restrictions, will significantly reduce the attack surface. Network-level protections such as web application firewalls and intrusion detection systems can provide additional layers of defense. The affected organization should also conduct comprehensive security audits to identify similar vulnerabilities in other application components, as this flaw likely indicates broader security gaps in the application's input handling and data validation processes. Regular security updates and patch management procedures should be implemented to prevent similar vulnerabilities from emerging in future releases.