CVE-2017-6095 in Mail Masta Plugin
Summary
by MITRE
A SQL injection issue was discovered in the Mail Masta (aka mail-masta) plugin 1.0 for WordPress. This affects /inc/lists/csvexport.php (Unauthenticated) with the GET Parameter: list_id.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/23/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-6095 represents a critical SQL injection flaw within the Mail Masta WordPress plugin version 1.0, specifically targeting the csvexport.php component. This issue exposes the plugin to unauthenticated attackers who can manipulate the list_id GET parameter to execute arbitrary SQL commands against the underlying database. The vulnerability resides in the /inc/lists/csvexport.php file, making it accessible without requiring any authentication credentials, thereby expanding the attack surface significantly. The flaw allows malicious actors to directly interface with the database layer through crafted input parameters, potentially leading to unauthorized data access, modification, or deletion.
This SQL injection vulnerability directly maps to CWE-89, which categorizes improper neutralization of special elements used in an SQL command, and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1071.004 for application layer protocol manipulation. The unauthenticated nature of the vulnerability means that any user can exploit it without prior access privileges, making it particularly dangerous in environments where WordPress plugins are widely deployed. The attack vector specifically targets the list_id parameter, which is processed without adequate input sanitization or parameterized query construction, allowing attackers to inject malicious SQL fragments that bypass normal security controls.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft, as it can enable attackers to escalate privileges within the WordPress environment. An attacker could potentially extract sensitive information including user credentials, database schema details, or even gain access to administrative accounts through the compromised plugin. The vulnerability affects the core functionality of the Mail Masta plugin, which is designed for email list management and newsletter distribution, making it a prime target for attackers seeking to exploit email marketing systems. The consequences include potential data breaches, unauthorized content modification, and complete compromise of the email list database that could be used for spam distribution or further attacks on connected systems.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-6095 require immediate patching of the Mail Masta plugin to version 1.0.1 or later, which contains the necessary input validation and parameterization fixes. System administrators should implement web application firewalls with SQL injection detection capabilities to provide additional protection layers. The recommended approach includes validating all input parameters through whitelisting mechanisms, implementing proper parameterized queries, and conducting regular security audits of WordPress plugins. Organizations should also consider implementing network segmentation and monitoring for suspicious database access patterns to detect potential exploitation attempts. Additionally, the principle of least privilege should be enforced by ensuring that database accounts used by WordPress have minimal required permissions, reducing the potential impact of successful exploitation. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to identify similar issues in other plugins or custom code components that may be susceptible to similar injection attacks.