CVE-2017-6577 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/subscriber_list.php with the POST Parameter: list_id.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/05/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-6577 represents a critical SQL injection flaw within the Mail Masta WordPress plugin version 1.0, specifically affecting the subscriber_list.php component. This issue arises from inadequate input validation and sanitization of user-supplied data, creating a pathway for malicious actors to manipulate database queries through the list_id POST parameter. The vulnerability's exploitable nature becomes particularly concerning given that it requires only WordPress admin access to be leveraged, significantly reducing the attack surface and increasing the potential impact of successful exploitation.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from improper handling of the list_id parameter within the mail-masta plugin's subscriber_list.php file. When administrators interact with the plugin's subscriber management functionality, the list_id value is directly incorporated into SQL queries without proper sanitization or parameterization. This creates a classic SQL injection vector where an attacker can inject malicious SQL code through the POST parameter, potentially gaining unauthorized access to sensitive data, modifying database records, or executing arbitrary commands on the underlying database server. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-89, which categorizes SQL injection as a fundamental weakness in application security where untrusted data is used in SQL queries without proper validation or escaping mechanisms.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft, as it enables attackers with admin-level access to escalate their privileges and compromise the entire WordPress installation. Once exploited, the attacker could modify subscriber lists, delete critical data, inject malicious content into the database, or even establish persistent backdoors within the WordPress environment. The vulnerability's location within the administrative interface means that successful exploitation could lead to complete compromise of the email marketing capabilities and potentially the entire website if the database contains additional sensitive information. This scenario particularly aligns with ATT&CK technique T1078 which covers valid accounts and T1041 which covers data extraction through database manipulation.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-6577 should prioritize immediate plugin updates to versions that address the SQL injection vulnerability, as the original version 1.0 contains no built-in protections against this specific attack vector. Administrators should implement proper input validation and parameterized queries throughout the plugin's codebase, ensuring that all user-supplied data undergoes rigorous sanitization before being processed in database operations. Additionally, network segmentation and access control measures should be enforced to limit the scope of potential exploitation, while regular security audits should monitor for similar vulnerabilities in other WordPress plugins. The remediation approach should also include implementing web application firewalls to detect and block suspicious SQL injection patterns, and establishing monitoring protocols to identify unauthorized administrative access attempts. Organizations should also consider implementing the principle of least privilege, ensuring that administrative accounts have minimal necessary permissions to reduce the potential impact of any successful compromise.