CVE-2017-18291 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 GET user parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/18/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-18291 represents a critical sql injection flaw within PvPGN Stats version 2.4.6, specifically affecting the ladder/stats.php component. This vulnerability arises from insufficient input validation and sanitization of user-supplied data, creating an exploitable condition that allows malicious actors to manipulate database queries through the GET user parameter. The affected application fails to properly escape or validate user input before incorporating it into sql statements, thereby exposing the underlying database infrastructure to unauthorized access and manipulation attempts.
The technical nature of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-89, which classifies sql injection as a weakness where untrusted data is directly incorporated into sql commands without proper sanitization. The flaw manifests when an attacker crafts malicious input through the user parameter in the url, potentially enabling them to execute arbitrary sql commands against the database. This type of vulnerability operates at the application layer and represents a fundamental failure in secure input handling practices, where user-supplied parameters are treated as executable code rather than data to be validated and escaped.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft, as it can enable attackers to perform complete database compromise operations. Successful exploitation could result in unauthorized data access, data modification, or even complete database destruction. Attackers might extract sensitive user information, modify ladder rankings, or gain elevated privileges within the application. The vulnerability affects the integrity and confidentiality of the entire PvPGN Stats system, potentially compromising user accounts and gaming statistics that form the core of the application's functionality. Given that this affects a gaming statistics platform, the impact could extend to reputation damage and loss of user trust.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on implementing proper input validation and parameterized queries to prevent sql injection attacks. The recommended approach involves using prepared statements with parameter binding instead of direct string concatenation, ensuring that user input is never directly embedded into sql queries. Additionally, implementing proper input sanitization, limiting database privileges for application users, and conducting regular security testing can significantly reduce the risk of exploitation. The solution should align with established security frameworks and practices, including the principle of least privilege and defense in depth strategies. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls and regular security audits to detect and prevent similar vulnerabilities in other components of their infrastructure.