CVE-2018-18786 in zzcms
Summary
by MITRE
An issue was discovered in zzcms 8.3. SQL Injection exists in ajax/zs.php via a pxzs cookie.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/07/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-18786 represents a critical SQL injection flaw within the zzcms 8.3 content management system. This vulnerability specifically manifests in the ajax/zs.php script where user input from the pxzs cookie parameter is improperly sanitized and directly incorporated into database queries without adequate validation or escaping mechanisms. The issue stems from the application's failure to implement proper input sanitization protocols, creating an avenue for malicious actors to manipulate database operations through crafted cookie values.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when an attacker manipulates the pxzs cookie value to inject malicious SQL commands into the database query execution flow. This type of injection allows attackers to potentially extract sensitive data from the database, modify existing records, or even execute destructive operations depending on the database privileges of the application. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-89 which specifically addresses SQL injection flaws in software applications, making it a well-documented and dangerous category of security weakness. The flaw demonstrates poor input validation practices and inadequate parameter sanitization, which are fundamental security principles that should be implemented at every layer of application development.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability poses significant risks to organizations utilizing zzcms 8.3 as it could enable unauthorized data access, data corruption, or complete database compromise. Attackers could leverage this flaw to extract user credentials, personal information, or other sensitive data stored within the application's database. The impact extends beyond simple data theft as the vulnerability could facilitate further attacks within the network infrastructure, especially if the database server has elevated privileges. This type of vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it requires minimal reconnaissance and can be exploited through simple cookie manipulation without requiring authentication or complex attack vectors.
The remediation approach for this vulnerability involves implementing proper input validation and parameterized queries to ensure that user-supplied data cannot be interpreted as SQL commands. Organizations should immediately upgrade to a patched version of zzcms if available, or implement input sanitization measures that properly escape or validate all cookie values before processing. Security measures should include implementing web application firewalls that can detect and block suspicious cookie values, applying proper access controls to database operations, and conducting regular security assessments of all application components. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1071.004 which covers application layer protocol manipulation, and represents a classic example of how insufficient input validation can lead to severe database compromise. Organizations should also implement comprehensive monitoring and logging of database activities to detect potential exploitation attempts and maintain regular security updates to prevent similar vulnerabilities from emerging in the future.