CVE-2017-20171 in apersistence
Summary
by MITRE • 01/18/2023
A vulnerability classified as critical has been found in PrivateSky apersistence. This affects an unknown part of the file db/sql/mysqlUtils.js. The manipulation leads to sql injection. The name of the patch is 954425f61634b556fe644837a592a5b8fcfca068. It is recommended to apply a patch to fix this issue. The identifier VDB-218457 was assigned to this vulnerability.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/09/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-20171 represents a critical sql injection flaw within the PrivateSky apersistence component, specifically within the file db/sql/mysqlUtils.js. This vulnerability exposes the application to unauthorized data access and potential system compromise through malicious sql commands executed against the underlying mysql database. The flaw exists in the database utility functions that handle sql operations, making it particularly dangerous as it likely affects core database interaction mechanisms. The vulnerability classification as critical indicates the potential for significant impact including data breaches, unauthorized access to sensitive information, and possible complete system compromise.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from improper input validation and sanitization within the mysqlUtils.js file, which processes sql queries without adequate protection against malicious input. This allows attackers to inject arbitrary sql commands through carefully crafted inputs that are then executed against the database server. The vulnerability follows common patterns associated with sql injection attacks, where user-supplied data is directly incorporated into sql statements without proper escaping or parameterization. The specific nature of the flaw suggests that the application likely concatenates user inputs directly into sql query strings rather than utilizing prepared statements or parameterized queries, creating an environment where sql commands can be injected and executed with the privileges of the database user.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft to encompass potential system-wide compromise and data integrity violations. Attackers could leverage this flaw to extract sensitive information, modify database contents, delete critical records, or even escalate privileges to gain administrative access to the database system. The vulnerability affects the persistence layer of the application, meaning that successful exploitation could compromise all data stored in the mysql database, potentially including user credentials, personal information, financial data, and application configuration details. This type of vulnerability also creates opportunities for attackers to establish persistent access and could facilitate further lateral movement within network environments where the affected system resides.
Security practitioners should immediately implement the provided patch identified by the commit hash 954425f61634b556fe644837a592a5b8fcfca068 to address this critical vulnerability. The patch likely implements proper input sanitization, parameterized queries, or prepared statement usage to prevent sql injection attacks. Organizations should also conduct thorough security assessments of their database systems to identify any potential unauthorized access that may have occurred during the vulnerability window. Additional mitigations include implementing web application firewalls, database activity monitoring, and regular security scanning to detect similar vulnerabilities. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-89 sql injection weakness classification and represents a common attack vector that maps to multiple ATT&CK tactics including initial access through web application attacks and privilege escalation via database access. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper input validation and secure coding practices in preventing database-related security incidents.