CVE-2017-8796 in FTA
Summary
by MITRE
An issue was discovered on Accellion FTA devices before FTA_9_12_180. Because mysql_real_escape_string is misused, seos/courier/communication_p2p.php allows SQL injection with the app_id parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/24/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-8796 affects Accellion FTA devices running versions prior to FTA_9_12_180, presenting a critical SQL injection flaw in the seos/courier/communication_p2p.php component. This issue stems from the improper usage of the mysql_real_escape_string function, which is a deprecated MySQL extension that was removed in PHP 7.0.0. The misconfiguration allows attackers to manipulate database queries through the app_id parameter, creating a pathway for unauthorized data access and potential system compromise.
The technical flaw manifests when the application fails to properly sanitize user input before incorporating it into SQL queries. The mysql_real_escape_string function, while designed to prevent SQL injection attacks, becomes ineffective when used in conjunction with other database functions or when the application's character set handling is misconfigured. This particular implementation error creates a condition where malicious input can bypass the intended protection mechanisms, allowing attackers to inject arbitrary SQL commands that execute with the privileges of the database user.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft, as successful exploitation can enable attackers to execute arbitrary commands on the underlying system, potentially leading to full system compromise. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to extract sensitive information including user credentials, system configurations, and confidential data stored within the database. The vulnerability affects the communication_p2p.php endpoint which handles peer-to-peer communication processes, making it particularly dangerous as it could be exploited during legitimate data transfer operations.
Security professionals should recognize this vulnerability as a classic example of improper input validation and output encoding, classified under CWE-89 SQL Injection. The attack surface is particularly concerning given that Accellion FTA devices are typically used for secure file transfer and communication, making them attractive targets for threat actors seeking to gain access to sensitive corporate or government data. According to ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability maps to T1190 Exploit Public-Facing Application, representing a common attack vector that leverages known vulnerabilities in web applications to gain initial access to target systems.
Organizations should immediately implement mitigations including upgrading to FTA_9_12_180 or later versions where the vulnerability has been addressed. Additionally, administrators should review and validate all database input sanitization mechanisms, ensuring that deprecated functions like mysql_real_escape_string are replaced with modern alternatives such as prepared statements using PDO or MySQLi extensions. Network segmentation and intrusion detection systems should be deployed to monitor for exploitation attempts, while regular security assessments should verify that similar vulnerabilities do not exist in other components of the system. The remediation process should also include comprehensive testing to ensure that input validation mechanisms function correctly across all application components, particularly those handling user-supplied data in database operations.