CVE-2017-18287 in PvPGN Stats
Summary
by MITRE
An issue was discovered in PvPGN Stats 2.4.6. SQL Injection exists in ladder/stats.php via the POST user_search parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/18/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-18287 represents a critical SQL injection flaw within PvPGN Stats version 2.4.6, specifically affecting the ladder/stats.php component. This issue arises from insufficient input validation and sanitization mechanisms that fail to properly handle user-supplied data before incorporating it into database queries. The vulnerability is particularly concerning as it occurs within a web application interface that manages gaming statistics and rankings, making it a prime target for malicious actors seeking to compromise gaming networks and user data.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through the POST user_search parameter within the ladder/stats.php script, where attacker-controlled input directly influences database query construction without proper sanitization. When a user submits a search query through this parameter, the application fails to implement proper parameterized queries or input filtering, allowing malicious SQL code to be executed within the database context. This flaw enables attackers to manipulate database operations, potentially gaining unauthorized access to sensitive gaming data, user credentials, or system information. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-89, which specifically addresses SQL injection weaknesses in software applications.
The operational impact of CVE-2017-18287 extends beyond simple data theft, as it provides attackers with potential pathways for privilege escalation and persistent access within gaming networks. Successful exploitation could result in complete database compromise, allowing attackers to modify or delete gaming statistics, manipulate rankings, or extract sensitive user information including account details and personal data. The vulnerability also creates opportunities for attackers to leverage the compromised system for further network reconnaissance and lateral movement within gaming infrastructure. According to ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability maps to T1071.004 for application layer protocol usage and T1190 for exploitation of remote services, representing both network and application-level attack vectors.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate implementation of proper input validation and parameterized query construction within the PvPGN Stats application. Organizations should implement strict sanitization of all user inputs, particularly those used in database queries, and adopt prepared statement patterns to prevent SQL injection attacks. The most effective remediation involves upgrading to a patched version of PvPGN Stats or implementing proper input filtering mechanisms that validate and sanitize all user-supplied data before database processing. Additionally, network segmentation and access controls should be implemented to limit exposure of vulnerable components, while regular security audits and penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities within gaming infrastructure. Security monitoring should be enhanced to detect anomalous database query patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts, and incident response procedures should be established to address potential compromise scenarios.