CVE-2017-6097 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/campaign/count_of_send.php (Requires authentication to Wordpress admin) with the POST Parameter: camp_id.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/23/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-6097 represents a critical SQL injection flaw within the Mail Masta WordPress plugin version 1.0, specifically targeting the administrative functionality of the platform. This issue resides in the file /inc/campaign/count_of_send.php which serves as part of the plugin's campaign management system. The vulnerability becomes exploitable when an authenticated attacker with administrative privileges attempts to manipulate the camp_id parameter through a POST request, creating a direct pathway for malicious SQL commands to be executed against the underlying database infrastructure.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and sanitization within the plugin's codebase, where user-supplied data from the camp_id parameter is directly incorporated into SQL query construction without proper escaping or parameterization. This design flaw aligns with CWE-89, which specifically addresses SQL injection vulnerabilities occurring when untrusted data is embedded into SQL commands. The attack vector requires authentication to the WordPress administrative interface, making it less broadly exploitable but still highly dangerous within compromised environments where attackers have already gained administrative access. The vulnerability's impact is amplified by the fact that it operates within the administrative context, potentially allowing for complete database compromise and unauthorized access to sensitive user information.
The operational implications of this vulnerability extend beyond simple data theft, as it provides attackers with the capability to manipulate campaign data, potentially affecting email delivery tracking and analytics. The compromised system could face unauthorized modifications to campaign configurations, leading to potential spamming activities or data exfiltration. Attackers could leverage this vulnerability to escalate privileges within the WordPress environment, access user credentials stored in the database, and potentially establish persistent backdoors. According to ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability maps to T1078 (Valid Accounts) and T1046 (Network Service Scanning) as attackers would utilize legitimate administrative credentials to exploit the vulnerability while potentially expanding their reconnaissance efforts. The impact on affected organizations includes potential data breaches, reputational damage, and regulatory compliance violations.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-6097 should focus on immediate patching of the Mail Masta plugin to version 1.0.1 or later, which contains the necessary input validation fixes. Organizations should implement comprehensive access controls and monitor administrative activities for suspicious POST requests containing malformed camp_id parameters. Network-based intrusion detection systems should be configured to flag unusual database query patterns that might indicate SQL injection attempts. Security teams should conduct thorough audits of all installed WordPress plugins to identify similar vulnerabilities, particularly those lacking proper input sanitization. Regular security assessments and penetration testing should be implemented to detect such flaws before they can be exploited. Additionally, implementing web application firewalls and database activity monitoring solutions can provide additional layers of protection against exploitation attempts. The vulnerability highlights the importance of maintaining up-to-date security practices and the critical need for proper input validation in all database interactions, particularly within administrative interfaces where elevated privileges are granted.