CVE-2017-17731 in DeDeCMS
Summary
by MITRE
DedeCMS through 5.7 has SQL Injection via the $_FILES superglobal to plus/recommend.php.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/15/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-17731 represents a critical SQL injection flaw within DedeCMS versions up to and including 5.7. This vulnerability specifically targets the plus/recommend.php script and exploits the $_FILES superglobal variable to manipulate database queries. The flaw allows attackers to inject malicious SQL commands through file upload parameters, potentially enabling unauthorized database access and data manipulation. The vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and sanitization of user-supplied data within the file handling mechanism of the content management system.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs when the recommend.php script processes file uploads without properly escaping or validating the $_FILES array contents. Attackers can craft malicious file names or metadata that contain SQL injection payloads, which are then executed within the database context when the application processes these files. This type of vulnerability falls under CWE-89 which specifically addresses SQL injection flaws where untrusted data is incorporated into SQL queries without proper sanitization. The attack vector leverages the file upload functionality to bypass normal input validation checks, making it particularly dangerous as it operates through legitimate file handling pathways.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft to encompass full database compromise and potential system takeover. An attacker could extract sensitive information including user credentials, database schemas, and application configuration details. Additionally, the vulnerability could enable privilege escalation attacks where attackers gain administrative access to the CMS, allowing them to modify content, create new user accounts, or even execute arbitrary code on the server. This represents a significant risk to organizations relying on DedeCMS for their web presence, as the compromise of a single CMS instance could lead to widespread data breaches and service disruption.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-17731 should prioritize immediate patching of the affected DedeCMS versions to the latest stable releases where the vulnerability has been addressed. Organizations should implement proper input validation and sanitization for all file upload operations, ensuring that file names and metadata are properly escaped before database insertion. Network segmentation and web application firewalls can provide additional protection layers to detect and prevent malicious file upload attempts. Regular security audits and penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other components of the web application stack. The vulnerability also aligns with ATT&CK technique T1190 which covers exploits for execution through file upload mechanisms, emphasizing the need for comprehensive defense-in-depth strategies that address both the specific vulnerability and broader attack patterns.