CVE-2017-6574 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_member.php with the GET Parameter: filter_list.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/05/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-6574 represents a critical sql injection flaw within the Mail Masta WordPress plugin version 1.0 that can be exploited by malicious actors with administrative privileges. This vulnerability specifically targets the ./inc/lists/edit_member.php file where the filter_list GET parameter is processed without adequate input validation or sanitization, creating an exploitable condition that allows attackers to manipulate database queries through crafted malicious input. The vulnerability classification aligns with CWE-89 which defines sql injection as the insertion of malicious sql code into query statements, and it demonstrates a clear path to privilege escalation through administrative access.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs when the mail masta plugin processes the filter_list parameter from the GET request in the edit_member.php file. The plugin fails to properly sanitize or escape user input before incorporating it into sql queries, allowing attackers to inject malicious sql commands that can be executed within the context of the database. This flaw enables attackers to perform unauthorized database operations including data extraction, modification, or deletion, potentially compromising the entire wordpress installation and its associated data. The attack vector requires an authenticated administrative session, which lowers the technical barrier for exploitation but still requires initial access to administrative credentials.
The operational impact of CVE-2017-6574 extends beyond simple data theft as it provides attackers with the ability to manipulate the mail masta plugin functionality and potentially gain broader access to the wordpress system. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to extract sensitive user information, modify mailing lists, inject malicious content into the plugin, or even escalate privileges within the wordpress environment. The vulnerability's presence in the administrative interface means that any compromised administrative account could be exploited to perform these malicious activities, potentially affecting thousands of users who rely on the mailing list functionality. This represents a significant risk to organizations using wordpress with the mail masta plugin, as the compromise of a single administrative account could lead to widespread data exposure.
Effective mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-6574 require immediate action including patching the mail masta plugin to version 1.1 or later, which contains the necessary fixes for the sql injection vulnerability. Organizations should also implement proper input validation and output escaping mechanisms in their web applications to prevent similar vulnerabilities from occurring in other components. Network segmentation and monitoring should be employed to detect unusual database access patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. Additionally, administrators should enforce strong authentication practices including multi-factor authentication and regular credential rotation to minimize the risk of unauthorized access to administrative accounts. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper parameter validation and input sanitization as outlined in the owasp top ten and represents a clear example of how insufficient data validation can lead to critical security breaches in web applications.