CVE-2017-9730 in nuevoMailer
Summary
by MITRE
SQL injection vulnerability in rdr.php in nuevoMailer version 6.0 and earlier allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via the "r" parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/24/2025
The CVE-2017-9730 vulnerability represents a critical sql injection flaw in the nuevoMailer application version 6.0 and earlier, specifically within the rdr.php component. This vulnerability resides in the handling of user-supplied input through the "r" parameter, which is processed without adequate sanitization or validation mechanisms. The flaw allows remote attackers to inject malicious sql commands directly into the application's database query execution flow, potentially compromising the entire database infrastructure. Such vulnerabilities fall under the common weakness enumeration CWE-89 which categorizes sql injection as a fundamental web application security flaw that occurs when user input is improperly validated before being used in sql queries. The attack vector is particularly concerning as it requires no authentication or privileged access, making it accessible to any remote attacker who can interact with the vulnerable web application interface.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability involves crafting malicious input for the "r" parameter that gets directly incorporated into sql queries executed by the backend database. When an attacker submits specially crafted sql injection payloads through this parameter, the application fails to properly escape or parameterize the input before incorporating it into database operations. This allows attackers to manipulate the intended sql query structure, potentially gaining unauthorized access to sensitive data, modifying database contents, or even executing administrative commands on the database server itself. The vulnerability demonstrates poor input validation practices and highlights the critical importance of implementing proper parameterized queries or sql escaping mechanisms as recommended by the owasp top ten project and the cwe database. The impact extends beyond simple data theft as attackers could potentially escalate privileges, create backdoors, or cause denial of service conditions through database corruption or resource exhaustion attacks.
The operational impact of CVE-2017-9730 is severe and multifaceted, affecting organizations that rely on the affected version of nuevoMailer for email management and user communication services. Successful exploitation could result in unauthorized access to user databases containing personal information, email addresses, and potentially sensitive business data. The vulnerability also poses risks to system availability as attackers could execute destructive sql operations that compromise database integrity or consume excessive system resources. Organizations using vulnerable versions of nuevoMailer face potential regulatory compliance violations under data protection frameworks such as gdpr, hipaa, and pci dss, depending on the nature of the data processed. The attack surface is particularly broad as the vulnerability affects all installations running version 6.0 or earlier, and given the application's purpose in managing email communications, the potential for data exfiltration and system compromise remains high. Security teams must consider the possibility of lateral movement within networks if database credentials are compromised, as this could lead to further exploitation of interconnected systems.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-9730 should prioritize immediate remediation through the application of the official vendor patch or upgrade to a non-vulnerable version of nuevoMailer. Organizations should implement input validation and sanitization measures at all application entry points, particularly for parameters that interact with database operations. The implementation of proper parameterized queries or prepared statements should be enforced throughout the application codebase to prevent similar vulnerabilities from occurring in the future. Network-level protections such as web application firewalls can provide additional defense-in-depth measures, though they should not be considered a complete solution. Security monitoring should be enhanced to detect suspicious sql patterns in database logs and application traffic. Regular security assessments and penetration testing should be conducted to identify and remediate similar vulnerabilities in other applications within the organization's infrastructure. The vulnerability also underscores the importance of maintaining up-to-date software inventory and implementing robust patch management processes as recommended by nist cybersecurity framework and the mitre ATT&CK framework for enterprise security operations.