CVE-2017-17570 in FS Expedia Clone
Summary
by MITRE
FS Expedia Clone 1.0 has SQL Injection via the pages.php or content.php id parameter, or the show-flight-result.php fl_orig or fl_dest parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/02/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-17570 affects FS Expedia Clone version 1.0, a web application designed for travel booking and flight search functionality. This particular vulnerability manifests as a SQL injection flaw that can be exploited through multiple entry points within the application's web interface. The attack vector specifically targets parameters in three distinct php files: pages.php and content.php which utilize an 'id' parameter, and show-flight-result.php which employs 'fl_orig' and 'fl_dest' parameters. This vulnerability represents a critical security weakness that allows unauthorized users to manipulate database queries through malicious input.
The technical implementation of this SQL injection vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and sanitization within the application's backend processing logic. When users submit data through the affected parameters, the application fails to properly escape or validate the input before incorporating it into database queries. This lack of proper input handling creates opportunities for attackers to inject malicious SQL code that can be executed by the database engine. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-89 which specifically addresses improper neutralization of special elements used in SQL commands, making it a direct instance of SQL injection attacks. The flaw essentially allows an attacker to bypass authentication mechanisms, extract sensitive data, modify database contents, or potentially gain administrative access to the underlying database system.
From an operational perspective, the impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data compromise. Attackers can leverage this weakness to perform unauthorized access to sensitive user information including personal details, booking records, and potentially payment information stored within the database. The attack surface is particularly concerning given that the application appears to be a travel booking platform where users would provide sensitive personal and financial data. The vulnerability also poses risks for data integrity and availability as attackers could potentially delete or corrupt database records. According to the MITRE ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability maps to the T1071.005 technique for application layer protocol manipulation and T1046 for network service enumeration, as attackers would need to identify and exploit these specific parameters to achieve their objectives.
The exploitation of this vulnerability requires minimal technical expertise and can be accomplished using standard penetration testing tools and techniques. Attackers typically begin by identifying the vulnerable parameters through manual testing or automated scanning tools like sqlmap. Once confirmed, they can craft malicious payloads that manipulate the SQL queries to extract database schema information, user credentials, or other sensitive data. The impact is particularly severe for organizations operating this application as it represents a direct pathway to compromise user privacy and business data. Organizations should immediately implement input validation measures, parameterized queries, and proper output encoding to prevent such attacks. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to identify similar weaknesses in other application components, while also ensuring that the application is updated to the latest version that addresses this specific vulnerability. The remediation process should include implementing proper web application firewalls, conducting security code reviews, and establishing secure coding practices that prevent SQL injection vulnerabilities from occurring in future development cycles.