CVE-2017-5347 in GeniXCMS
Summary
by MITRE
SQL injection vulnerability in inc/mod/newsletter/options.php in GeniXCMS 0.0.8 allows remote authenticated administrators to execute arbitrary SQL commands via the recipient parameter to gxadmin/index.php.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/28/2022
The vulnerability CVE-2017-5347 represents a critical sql injection flaw in GeniXCMS version 0.0.8 that specifically targets the newsletter management module. This vulnerability exists within the inc/mod/newsletter/options.php file and affects authenticated administrator users who have access to the gxadmin/index.php interface. The flaw manifests when the recipient parameter is manipulated during newsletter configuration operations, creating an avenue for malicious actors to execute arbitrary sql commands against the underlying database system. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it requires only authenticated access, meaning an attacker who has already compromised administrator credentials can leverage this weakness to escalate their privileges and potentially gain complete database control.
From a technical perspective, this vulnerability falls under the CWE-89 category of sql injection, which is classified as a fundamental weakness in application security that allows attackers to manipulate sql queries through input validation flaws. The vulnerability operates by failing to properly sanitize or escape user input from the recipient parameter before incorporating it into sql query construction. This lack of input sanitization creates a direct path for sql payload injection, where maliciously crafted input can alter the intended sql query structure. The attack vector specifically targets the administrative interface, which means that an attacker must first obtain valid administrator credentials, but once achieved, the sql injection can be exploited to extract sensitive data, modify database records, or even execute system commands depending on the database configuration and permissions.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft, as it provides attackers with the capability to completely compromise the GeniXCMS installation and potentially the underlying infrastructure. An attacker could use this vulnerability to extract user credentials, modify content management settings, or gain access to sensitive administrative data. The remote execution capability means that attackers do not need physical access to the system, making this vulnerability particularly dangerous in web-hosted environments. According to the attack pattern taxonomy, this vulnerability aligns with the attack technique of code injection as documented in the attack framework, where the attacker can manipulate the application's behavior through crafted input parameters that bypass normal input validation mechanisms. The presence of this vulnerability in the administrative interface also means that attackers can potentially modify or delete critical content management data, affecting the integrity and availability of the entire content management system.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-5347 should focus on immediate patching of the GeniXCMS version 0.0.8 to address the sql injection vulnerability in the newsletter module. Organizations should implement proper input validation and parameterized queries throughout the application to prevent similar issues from occurring in other components. The principle of least privilege should be enforced by ensuring that administrative accounts have limited permissions and that access controls are properly configured. Additionally, regular security audits and code reviews should be conducted to identify and remediate similar sql injection vulnerabilities. Network monitoring should be enhanced to detect unusual database query patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability also underscores the importance of maintaining up-to-date software versions and implementing robust security practices such as regular vulnerability scanning and penetration testing to identify and remediate security weaknesses before they can be exploited by malicious actors.