CVE-2017-16896 in Tiny RSS
Summary
by MITRE
A SQL injection in classes/handler/public.php in the forgotpass component of Tiny Tiny RSS 17.4 exists via the login parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/11/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-16896 represents a critical SQL injection flaw within the Tiny Tiny RSS 17.4 web-based news reader application. This security weakness specifically targets the forgotpass component's public.php handler file, where user input validation mechanisms fail to properly sanitize the login parameter. The flaw allows malicious actors to inject arbitrary SQL commands directly into the database query execution process, potentially compromising the entire backend system. This vulnerability resides within the password recovery functionality, making it particularly dangerous as attackers could exploit it during legitimate authentication attempts.
The technical exploitation of this SQL injection vulnerability occurs through the improper handling of the login parameter within the forgotpass component. When users attempt to recover their passwords, the application fails to implement adequate input sanitization or parameterized queries, allowing attackers to manipulate the SQL statement structure. The vulnerability manifests when an attacker supplies malicious input through the login field that gets directly incorporated into database queries without proper escaping or validation. This flaw maps directly to CWE-89 which categorizes SQL injection vulnerabilities as a fundamental weakness in software applications that fail to properly sanitize user inputs before incorporating them into database commands.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft, potentially enabling full database compromise and unauthorized access to user accounts. Attackers could extract sensitive user information including usernames, hashed passwords, and personal data stored within the Tiny Tiny RSS database. The vulnerability's location within the forgotpass functionality means that exploitation could occur during legitimate user interactions, making detection more challenging for system administrators. Additionally, successful exploitation might allow attackers to escalate privileges, modify user accounts, or even execute arbitrary code on the server if the database system permits such operations. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1213 which covers data exploitation through injection attacks.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-16896 require immediate implementation of proper input validation and parameterized query execution. System administrators should upgrade to patched versions of Tiny Tiny RSS that address this vulnerability, as the original 17.4 release contained no adequate protection against SQL injection attacks. The recommended approach involves implementing proper input sanitization techniques, utilizing prepared statements with parameterized queries, and ensuring that all user inputs undergo rigorous validation before database processing. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls to detect and block suspicious SQL injection patterns, while conducting regular security audits of their web applications. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of input validation in preventing injection attacks and underscores the necessity of following secure coding practices as outlined in industry standards such as OWASP Top Ten and NIST guidelines for secure software development.