CVE-2017-20030 in PHPList
Summary
by MITRE • 06/10/2022
A vulnerability was found in PHPList 3.2.6. It has been classified as critical. Affected is an unknown function of the file /lists/admin/ of the component Sending Campain. The manipulation leads to sql injection. It is possible to launch the attack remotely. The exploit has been disclosed to the public and may be used. Upgrading to version 3.3.1 is able to address this issue. It is recommended to upgrade the affected component.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/22/2022
This critical vulnerability in PHPList 3.2.6 represents a severe sql injection flaw that exists within the sending campaign functionality of the application. The vulnerability is located in the /lists/admin/ directory and affects an unknown function that processes campaign data. The flaw allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary sql commands through manipulated input parameters, potentially leading to complete database compromise. This type of vulnerability falls under the CWE-89 category of sql injection, which is one of the most dangerous web application security issues. The attack vector is particularly concerning as it can be exploited remotely without requiring authentication, making it accessible to any attacker with network access to the vulnerable system.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends far beyond simple data theft. An attacker who successfully exploits this sql injection flaw could gain complete control over the application's database, potentially allowing them to extract sensitive user information, modify campaign data, or even escalate privileges to gain administrative access to the entire PHPList installation. The vulnerability's classification as critical by security organizations indicates the severe risk it poses to organizations relying on this email marketing platform. Given that PHPList is commonly used for managing email campaigns and subscriber data, the potential damage includes exposure of personal information, disruption of email services, and possible use of the compromised system for further attacks against other targets.
The disclosure of the exploit to the public significantly increases the risk to unpatched systems, as malicious actors can now easily leverage this vulnerability without requiring advanced technical knowledge or research. This public availability of exploit code transforms what might have been a theoretical threat into an active danger that organizations face immediately. The vulnerability affects the core functionality of campaign management, which means that any organization using PHPList for email marketing operations is at risk. The exploit's ability to function remotely means that attackers do not need physical access to the server or direct network access to the application's interface. This characteristic aligns with the ATT&CK framework's technique of using remote access tools and command and control communications to maintain persistence and expand access within compromised networks.
Organizations should immediately implement the recommended upgrade to version 3.3.1 to address this vulnerability, as this represents the primary and most effective mitigation strategy. Beyond the immediate upgrade, system administrators should implement additional security measures including network segmentation, firewall rules to restrict access to the admin interface, and monitoring for suspicious database activity. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of keeping web applications updated and maintaining current security practices. Security teams should also conduct thorough assessments of their email marketing systems and ensure that all components are running patched versions. The incident highlights the need for regular security audits and vulnerability assessments to identify and remediate similar issues before they can be exploited by malicious actors in the wild.