CVE-2017-6578 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: subscriber_email.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/05/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-6578 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 within the POST parameter named subscriber_email, which is processed through the ./inc/subscriber_list.php file. The vulnerability allows attackers to execute malicious SQL commands against the underlying database, potentially leading to unauthorized data access, modification, or deletion. The attack vector requires an authenticated administrative session, making it particularly dangerous as it leverages legitimate administrative privileges to escalate the attack scope. This type of vulnerability falls under CWE-89, which categorizes SQL injection as a fundamental weakness in software security that occurs when user input is improperly filtered or escaped before being incorporated into SQL queries. The impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft, as successful exploitation can result in complete database compromise, unauthorized user account creation, and potential lateral movement within the compromised WordPress environment.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability demonstrates how insufficient parameter validation can create pathways for attackers to manipulate database queries through seemingly benign input fields. When administrators submit email addresses through the subscriber_list.php interface, the plugin fails to properly sanitize the subscriber_email parameter before incorporating it into SQL statements. This allows malicious actors to inject SQL fragments that can alter the intended query behavior, potentially extracting sensitive information such as user credentials, database schema details, or other confidential data stored within the WordPress installation. The vulnerability's location within the administrative interface increases its severity, as it provides attackers with direct access to functionality that typically requires elevated privileges. This aligns with ATT&CK technique T1078.004, which describes valid accounts as a means of gaining access to systems, where the compromised administrative session enables further malicious activities within the WordPress environment.
The operational impact of CVE-2017-6578 extends significantly beyond immediate data compromise, as it creates persistent attack vectors that can be leveraged for long-term system infiltration. Once exploited, attackers can manipulate subscriber lists to gain unauthorized access to user email addresses, potentially enabling phishing campaigns or credential stuffing attacks against users. The vulnerability also poses risks to the overall WordPress installation integrity, as successful SQL injection can lead to complete system compromise through database manipulation. Organizations using vulnerable versions of the Mail Masta plugin face potential regulatory compliance violations, especially in environments governed by standards such as GDPR or HIPAA, where unauthorized data access can result in significant financial and legal consequences. The attack requires minimal technical expertise to exploit, making it particularly dangerous as it can be targeted at less sophisticated threat actors who may not have specialized knowledge of advanced exploitation techniques. Security professionals should consider this vulnerability as part of broader reconnaissance efforts, as it often serves as a stepping stone to more comprehensive system compromises.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-6578 should focus on immediate remediation through plugin updates and comprehensive security hardening measures. The most effective immediate solution involves upgrading to a patched version of the Mail Masta plugin, as the vulnerability has been addressed in subsequent releases through proper input sanitization and parameterized query implementations. Organizations should implement strict input validation measures that filter and sanitize all user-supplied data before processing, particularly within administrative interfaces where the attack surface is most critical. Database access controls should be reviewed to ensure that the WordPress database user account has minimal required privileges, reducing the potential impact of successful exploitation attempts. Network segmentation and monitoring should be enhanced to detect unusual patterns in administrative access, particularly around subscriber management functions. Security measures should also include regular vulnerability scanning of WordPress installations to identify outdated plugins and themes that may contain similar vulnerabilities. The implementation of web application firewalls and security monitoring solutions can provide additional layers of protection by detecting and blocking malicious SQL injection attempts before they can affect the database. Organizations should also conduct regular security assessments of their WordPress environments to ensure that all components are properly maintained and updated according to security best practices, including the principle of least privilege for database access and regular security audits of administrative interfaces.