CVE-2018-18785 in zzcms
Summary
by MITRE
An issue was discovered in zzcms 8.3. SQL Injection exists in zs/subzs.php with a zzcmscpid cookie to zs/search.php.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/07/2020
The vulnerability CVE-2018-18785 represents a critical sql injection flaw in zzcms version 8.3 that specifically affects the zs/subzs.php component and its interaction with zs/search.php through the zzcmscpid cookie parameter. This vulnerability falls under the CWE-89 category of sql injection, which is classified as a severe security weakness that allows attackers to manipulate database queries by injecting malicious sql code. The flaw occurs when user-controllable input from the zzcmscpid cookie is directly incorporated into sql queries without proper sanitization or parameterization, creating an exploitable pathway for unauthorized database access.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability requires an attacker to manipulate the zzcmscpid cookie value which is then processed by the zs/subzs.php script and subsequently passed to zs/search.php. When the application fails to properly validate or escape the cookie data before incorporating it into database queries, malicious sql payloads can be executed with the privileges of the database user. This type of vulnerability is particularly dangerous as it can enable attackers to extract sensitive information, modify database records, or potentially gain full control over the database system. The attack vector is relatively straightforward since it involves cookie manipulation, making it accessible to attackers with basic web application exploitation knowledge.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft to encompass potential system compromise and business disruption. An attacker could leverage this sql injection to access customer data, user credentials, or administrative information stored within the zzcms database. The vulnerability affects the entire zzcms platform and could lead to data breaches, service disruption, and regulatory compliance violations. Organizations using this version of zzcms face significant risk of unauthorized access to their database content, with potential for data exfiltration and system integrity compromise. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1071.004 for application layer protocol manipulation and T1046 for network service discovery, as attackers might use this flaw to map database structures and identify additional attack vectors.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2018-18785 should prioritize immediate patching of the zzcms 8.3 software to address the sql injection vulnerability in the affected components. Organizations should implement proper input validation and parameterized queries to prevent sql injection attacks, ensuring that all user inputs including cookie values are properly sanitized before database processing. Network segmentation and web application firewalls can provide additional layers of protection by monitoring and filtering malicious cookie values. Security monitoring should include detection of unusual database query patterns and unauthorized access attempts. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper input validation as outlined in CWE-116 and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1190 for exploit for client execution, emphasizing the need for comprehensive security measures including regular vulnerability assessments, code reviews, and security testing to prevent similar issues in the future.