CVE-2017-17579 in FS Freelancer Clone
Summary
by MITRE
FS Freelancer Clone 1.0 has SQL Injection via the profile.php u parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/02/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-17579 affects FS Freelancer Clone version 1.0, a web application designed for freelance platform management. This particular flaw represents a critical security weakness that exposes the application to unauthorized data access and potential system compromise. The vulnerability resides within the profile.php script where user input is improperly handled, creating an avenue for malicious actors to execute unauthorized database operations. The specific parameter u in the profile.php endpoint serves as the attack vector, indicating that user profile identifiers are directly incorporated into database queries without adequate sanitization or validation measures. This type of vulnerability falls under the category of SQL injection attacks, which have been consistently ranked among the most dangerous web application security flaws by organizations such as OWASP and the SANS Institute.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability demonstrates a classic case of improper input validation where the parameter u is directly concatenated into SQL query strings without proper parameterization or escaping mechanisms. When an attacker submits malicious input through this parameter, the application fails to distinguish between legitimate user data and crafted SQL commands, allowing the attacker to manipulate the underlying database queries. This flaw enables unauthorized users to extract sensitive information, modify database records, or potentially gain administrative privileges within the application's database system. The vulnerability's classification aligns with CWE-89 which specifically addresses SQL injection weaknesses in software applications. The attack surface is particularly concerning given that the parameter u likely corresponds to user identifiers, meaning that successful exploitation could lead to account takeovers, data breaches, or complete database compromise.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft, as it represents a fundamental breakdown in the application's security architecture. Attackers could leverage this weakness to access confidential user information including personal details, financial records, or communication data stored within the database. The implications are especially severe for a freelancer platform where users entrust sensitive professional and personal information to the system. From an attacker's perspective, this vulnerability provides a straightforward path to escalate privileges and potentially move laterally within the application's infrastructure. The attack pattern aligns with techniques described in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under the T1071.004 sub-technique for application layer protocol manipulation. Organizations utilizing this software would face significant reputational damage, regulatory compliance violations, and potential legal consequences should such an attack occur, particularly if user data is compromised.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-17579 must address both immediate remediation and long-term architectural improvements to prevent similar vulnerabilities. The primary solution involves implementing proper input validation and parameterized queries throughout the application codebase, specifically within the profile.php script and related database interaction components. Developers should adopt prepared statements or parameterized queries to ensure that user input cannot be interpreted as executable SQL commands. Additionally, comprehensive input sanitization measures including character encoding, length restrictions, and whitelist validation should be implemented for all user-supplied parameters. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls and intrusion detection systems to monitor for suspicious database query patterns. The vulnerability highlights the critical importance of secure coding practices and regular security assessments, particularly for applications handling sensitive user data. Regular penetration testing and code reviews should be conducted to identify and remediate similar weaknesses before they can be exploited by malicious actors. Implementation of proper access controls and database privilege management would further reduce the potential impact of successful exploitation attempts.