CVE-2017-15991 in Agent Zone
Summary
by MITRE
Vastal I-Tech Agent Zone (aka The Real Estate Script) allows SQL Injection in searchCommercial.php via the property_type, city, or posted_by parameter, or searchResidential.php via the property_type, city, or bedroom parameter, a different vulnerability than CVE-2008-3951, CVE-2009-3497, and CVE-2012-0982.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/14/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-15991 affects Vastal I-Tech Agent Zone, commonly known as The Real Estate Script, which is a web-based property listing platform used by real estate agencies and agents to manage and display property listings online. This particular vulnerability manifests as a SQL injection flaw that exists within the script's search functionality, specifically in two separate PHP files: searchCommercial.php and searchResidential.php. The vulnerability represents a significant security weakness that could potentially allow malicious actors to execute unauthorized database operations and access sensitive information. Unlike previous vulnerabilities such as CVE-2008-3951, CVE-2009-3497, and CVE-2012-0982, this issue presents distinct attack vectors and affects different parameters within the application's search mechanisms.
The technical flaw stems from improper input validation and sanitization within the search functionality of the real estate script. Attackers can exploit this vulnerability by manipulating the property_type, city, or posted_by parameters in searchCommercial.php, or the property_type, city, or bedroom parameters in searchResidential.php. When these parameters are not properly escaped or validated before being incorporated into SQL queries, malicious input can alter the intended database query structure. This allows attackers to inject their own SQL commands which are then executed by the database server, potentially enabling them to extract, modify, or delete sensitive data. The vulnerability maps directly 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 given that these parameters are commonly used in search operations, making the exploitation relatively straightforward for threat actors.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft, as it could enable attackers to gain unauthorized access to the entire database infrastructure supporting the real estate platform. Depending on the database configuration and the privileges of the database user account, attackers might be able to extract user credentials, property listings, contact information, financial data, and other sensitive business information. The vulnerability could also facilitate more advanced attacks such as privilege escalation, where attackers might attempt to elevate their database access levels to gain administrative control. From an attacker's perspective, this vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1071.005, which involves application layer protocol manipulation, and T1046, which covers network service discovery. The implications for real estate businesses are severe, as compromised data could lead to financial losses, regulatory violations, and damage to reputation, particularly given the sensitive nature of property and personal information typically stored in such systems.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on implementing robust input validation and parameterized queries throughout the application's codebase. The primary defense mechanism involves ensuring that all user-supplied input is properly sanitized and validated before being incorporated into database queries. This includes implementing proper escaping mechanisms for all database input parameters and utilizing prepared statements or parameterized queries to prevent malicious SQL code from being executed. Organizations should also implement proper access controls and database privilege management, ensuring that database accounts used by the web application have the minimum necessary permissions. Additionally, regular security code reviews and penetration testing should be conducted to identify and remediate similar vulnerabilities in other parts of the application. The implementation of web application firewalls and input validation rules at the network level can provide additional layers of protection. From a compliance standpoint, this vulnerability highlights the importance of adhering to security standards such as those outlined in the OWASP Top Ten and NIST cybersecurity frameworks, which emphasize the critical need for proper input validation and secure coding practices to prevent SQL injection attacks.