CVE-2017-17582 in FS Grubhub Clone
Summary
by MITRE
FS Grubhub Clone 1.0 has SQL Injection via the /food keywords parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/02/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-17582 affects the FS Grubhub Clone version 1.0 web application which implements a food ordering system similar to popular delivery platforms. This application suffers from a critical SQL injection flaw that allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands against the underlying database system. The vulnerability specifically manifests through the /food endpoint where the keywords parameter is not properly sanitized or validated before being incorporated into database queries. This represents a classic SQL injection vulnerability that falls under CWE-89, which categorizes improper neutralization of special elements used in SQL commands.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs when user input from the keywords parameter is directly concatenated into SQL query strings without proper parameterization or input validation. Attackers can manipulate this parameter to inject malicious SQL syntax that bypasses authentication mechanisms, extracts sensitive data, modifies database records, or even executes administrative commands on the database server. The flaw exists due to insufficient input sanitization and the absence of prepared statements or parameterized queries that would normally protect against such attacks. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1190 which describes the exploitation of vulnerabilities in web applications to gain unauthorized access to backend systems.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe as it provides attackers with unrestricted access to the application's database containing potentially sensitive information such as user credentials, personal details, order histories, and payment information. An attacker could exploit this vulnerability to perform data exfiltration, modify user accounts, inject malicious content, or escalate privileges within the system. The vulnerability affects the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of the application's data, potentially leading to financial losses, privacy violations, and regulatory compliance issues. Organizations using this software version face significant risk of data breaches and unauthorized access to their customer information systems.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability include immediate implementation of parameterized queries or prepared statements to ensure user input is properly escaped and validated before database interaction. The application should employ input validation mechanisms that filter or reject suspicious characters and patterns commonly associated with SQL injection attacks. Additionally, implementing proper output encoding, using least privilege database accounts, and deploying web application firewalls can provide additional layers of protection. Regular security testing including automated scanning and manual penetration testing should be conducted to identify and remediate similar vulnerabilities. Organizations should also consider implementing proper access controls and monitoring mechanisms to detect and respond to potential exploitation attempts. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of following secure coding practices and adhering to OWASP Top Ten security guidelines to prevent such database injection attacks from compromising application security.