CVE-2017-15980 in US Zip Codes Database Script
Summary
by MITRE
US Zip Codes Database Script 1.0 allows SQL Injection via the state parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/14/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-15980 affects the US Zip Codes Database Script version 1.0, representing a critical security flaw that exposes the application to unauthorized data access and manipulation. This script, designed to provide zip code information linked to specific states, fails to properly validate or sanitize user input, creating an exploitable entry point for malicious actors. The vulnerability specifically manifests through the state parameter, which serves as the primary vector for SQL injection attacks.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from improper input validation mechanisms within the script's database query construction process. When users provide input through the state parameter, the application directly incorporates this data into SQL queries without adequate sanitization or parameterization. This practice violates fundamental secure coding principles and creates a direct pathway for attackers to inject malicious SQL commands. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-89, which specifically addresses SQL injection flaws where untrusted data is used in database queries without proper validation or escaping mechanisms.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents significant risks to the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of the underlying database system. Attackers can exploit this flaw to extract sensitive information including but not limited to complete database schemas, user credentials, personal identification data, and other confidential records stored within the zip codes database. The impact extends beyond simple data theft, as malicious actors could potentially modify or delete database entries, leading to data corruption and system disruption. The attack surface is particularly concerning given that zip code databases often contain personally identifiable information that may be subject to privacy regulations such as gdpr and hipaa.
The exploitation of this vulnerability follows standard SQL injection attack patterns where attackers craft malicious input strings that manipulate the intended database query execution flow. Through careful manipulation of the state parameter, an attacker can bypass authentication mechanisms, extract unauthorized data through UNION-based queries, or even execute destructive commands on the database server. This vulnerability represents a classic example of how insufficient input validation can lead to complete system compromise, as outlined in the mitre ATT&CK framework under the technique of command and control through database manipulation.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-15980 must address both immediate remediation and long-term architectural improvements. The primary solution involves implementing proper parameterized queries or prepared statements to ensure that user input is never directly concatenated into SQL commands. Additionally, comprehensive input validation should be implemented to filter out potentially malicious characters and patterns before processing. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls and input sanitization layers as additional protective measures. Regular security assessments and code reviews should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities across the application stack, as this type of flaw often indicates broader security weaknesses that may affect other components of the system. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical importance of secure coding practices and the need for continuous security awareness training for development teams.