CVE-2017-6573 in Mail Masta Plugin
Summary
by MITRE
A SQL injection issue is exploitable, with WordPress admin access, in the Mail Masta (aka mail-masta) plugin 1.0 for WordPress. This affects ./inc/lists/edit-list.php with the GET Parameter: id.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/05/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-6573 represents a critical SQL injection flaw within the Mail Masta WordPress plugin version 1.0, specifically affecting the ./inc/lists/edit-list.php file through improper handling of the GET parameter 'id'. This vulnerability falls under the CWE-89 category of SQL Injection, which is classified as a severe weakness in software security that allows attackers to manipulate database queries through malicious input. The flaw enables unauthorized individuals to execute arbitrary SQL commands against the database, potentially leading to complete system compromise.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs when the Mail Masta plugin processes user-supplied input from the 'id' parameter without proper sanitization or validation. Attackers can exploit this by crafting malicious SQL payloads in the GET request, which are then directly incorporated into database queries executed by the WordPress application. This particular attack vector targets the administrative interface of the plugin, meaning that successful exploitation requires prior access to WordPress administrator credentials. The vulnerability demonstrates poor input validation practices and lacks proper parameterized query implementation, which are fundamental security measures recommended by OWASP and the ATT&CK framework under the T1071.004 technique for application layer protocol manipulation.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is significant as it provides attackers with elevated privileges within the WordPress environment, enabling them to perform actions such as modifying or deleting user accounts, accessing sensitive data, injecting malicious content, and potentially establishing persistent backdoors. The attack requires minimal complexity to execute once an attacker has administrative access, making it particularly dangerous in environments where administrative credentials may be compromised through other means. This vulnerability can facilitate broader attacks within the WordPress ecosystem, as compromised administrative access often provides pathways to compromise additional plugins, themes, or even the core WordPress installation itself. The exploitation process aligns with ATT&CK's T1078.004 technique for valid accounts and T1041 technique for data compression, as attackers may need to establish persistent access and exfiltrate data.
Mitigation strategies should focus on immediate plugin updates to versions that address this vulnerability, as well as implementing proper input validation and parameterized queries throughout the application code. Organizations should enforce the principle of least privilege for administrative accounts and implement comprehensive monitoring for unusual administrative activities. The fix should include proper sanitization of all user inputs, particularly those used in database queries, and should follow the secure coding practices outlined in the OWASP Secure Coding Practices. Additionally, implementing web application firewalls and database activity monitoring can provide additional layers of defense against similar SQL injection attacks. Regular security audits and vulnerability assessments should be conducted to identify and remediate similar weaknesses in other plugins and themes within the WordPress environment.