CVE-2017-17616 in Event Search Script
Summary
by MITRE
Event Search Script 1.0 has SQL Injection via the /event-list city parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/29/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-17616 represents a critical SQL injection flaw in Event Search Script version 1.0, specifically affecting the /event-list endpoint where the city parameter is processed without adequate input validation. This weakness allows malicious actors to inject arbitrary SQL commands through the city parameter, potentially compromising the underlying database system and exposing sensitive information. The vulnerability stems from improper sanitization of user-supplied input, creating an avenue for attackers to manipulate database queries and execute unauthorized operations. The affected application fails to implement proper parameterized queries or input filtering mechanisms, leaving it susceptible to exploitation by threat actors who understand SQL injection techniques.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when an attacker submits a malformed city parameter value that includes SQL payload sequences designed to manipulate the database query execution flow. This type of attack falls under CWE-89 which specifically addresses SQL injection vulnerabilities where untrusted data is incorporated into SQL commands without proper sanitization or parameterization. The attack vector operates through the web application's input handling mechanism, where the city parameter is directly concatenated into SQL statements rather than being properly escaped or parameterized. This flaw enables attackers to perform unauthorized database operations including data extraction, modification, or deletion, potentially leading to complete system compromise and unauthorized access to sensitive information stored within the database.
The operational impact of CVE-2017-17616 extends beyond simple data theft, as successful exploitation can result in complete database compromise and potential lateral movement within the network infrastructure. Attackers may leverage this vulnerability to escalate privileges, extract confidential user data, modify event listings, or even gain access to administrative functions within the application. The vulnerability's classification aligns with ATT&CK technique T1071.005 which covers application layer protocol manipulation, and T1046 which addresses network service scanning. Organizations utilizing this script face significant risk of data breaches, regulatory compliance violations, and potential financial losses due to unauthorized access to their event management systems. The impact is particularly severe given that event search scripts often contain sensitive user information, registration data, and organizational details that could be valuable to threat actors.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability must address both immediate remediation and long-term security enhancements. The primary solution involves implementing proper input validation and parameterized queries throughout the application codebase, ensuring that all user-supplied data is properly sanitized before database interaction. Organizations should deploy web application firewalls to detect and block suspicious SQL injection patterns, while also implementing comprehensive logging and monitoring systems to detect exploitation attempts. The remediation process requires thorough code review to identify all input parameters that may be vulnerable to injection attacks, followed by implementation of prepared statements or stored procedures that prevent SQL command concatenation. Additionally, regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to identify similar issues in other components of the application stack, ensuring comprehensive protection against similar attack vectors that may exist in other parts of the system.