CVE-2017-6098 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_save.php (Requires authentication to Wordpress admin) with the POST Parameter: list_id.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/23/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-6098 represents a critical SQL injection flaw within the Mail Masta WordPress plugin version 1.0, specifically targeting the /inc/campaign_save.php component. This vulnerability exists within the administrative interface of the plugin and requires authenticated access to the WordPress admin panel to exploit, making it a privilege escalation issue rather than a direct public attack vector. The flaw manifests through the list_id POST parameter, which is processed without adequate input validation or sanitization measures. This allows authenticated attackers with administrative privileges to inject malicious SQL code that can be executed against the underlying database, potentially leading to complete database compromise and unauthorized access to sensitive information. The vulnerability directly maps to CWE-89, which categorizes SQL injection flaws as weaknesses that occur when untrusted data is incorporated into SQL queries without proper escaping or parameterization. This issue falls under the ATT&CK technique T1071.004 for application layer protocol and T1046 for network service scanning, as it enables attackers to manipulate database queries and potentially expand their attack surface.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft, as successful exploitation can enable attackers to modify or delete campaign data, access user information, and potentially escalate privileges within the WordPress environment. Since the vulnerability requires administrative authentication, it represents a significant risk to organizations where administrative credentials may be compromised through phishing attacks, credential reuse, or other social engineering tactics. The attack surface is limited to the Mail Masta plugin functionality, but the consequences can be severe as it provides attackers with direct database access that could be leveraged to extract user credentials, personal information, or other sensitive data stored within the WordPress database. The vulnerability demonstrates poor input handling practices and highlights the importance of implementing proper parameterized queries and input validation mechanisms. Organizations using this plugin are particularly at risk because the attack requires only administrative access, which is often more valuable than public-facing vulnerabilities, and once achieved, can lead to complete system compromise.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-6098 should prioritize immediate plugin updates to versions that address the SQL injection vulnerability, as the original plugin version 1.0 contains this flaw. Administrators should implement strict access controls and ensure that only authorized personnel have administrative privileges within the WordPress environment. Network segmentation and monitoring of administrative access attempts can help detect potential exploitation attempts. The implementation of web application firewalls and database activity monitoring solutions can provide additional layers of protection. Regular security audits and vulnerability assessments should include checks for outdated plugins and themes that may contain known vulnerabilities. Organizations should also enforce strong password policies, implement multi-factor authentication, and conduct regular security training to reduce the risk of credential compromise that could lead to exploitation of this vulnerability. Additionally, the principle of least privilege should be applied to administrative accounts, limiting their access to only necessary functions within the WordPress system. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical importance of keeping all software components updated and following secure coding practices that prevent injection vulnerabilities through proper input validation and parameterized query usage.