CVE-2018-18787 in zzcms
Summary
by MITRE
An issue was discovered in zzcms 8.3. SQL Injection exists in zs/zs.php via a pxzs cookie.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/07/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-18787 represents a critical sql injection flaw within zzcms version 8.3 that specifically affects the zs/zs.php component. This vulnerability manifests through improper input validation of the pxzs cookie parameter, creating an exploitable entry point for malicious actors to manipulate database queries. The affected application fails to adequately sanitize user-supplied data before incorporating it into sql execution contexts, thereby exposing the underlying database infrastructure to unauthorized access and potential data compromise.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when an attacker crafts a malicious pxzs cookie value that contains sql payload constructs. When the web application processes this cookie value in the zs/zs.php script, the unsanitized input gets directly embedded into sql queries without proper parameterization or escaping mechanisms. This design flaw aligns with CWE-89 which categorizes sql injection vulnerabilities as weaknesses that allow attackers to execute arbitrary sql commands against the database. The vulnerability demonstrates a classic example of insecure data handling where user-controllable inputs are not properly validated or escaped before database interaction.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft, as it provides attackers with potentially full database access capabilities. Successful exploitation could enable unauthorized users to extract sensitive information including user credentials, personal data, and application configuration details. Attackers might also leverage this vulnerability to modify or delete database records, potentially leading to complete system compromise. The vulnerability affects the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of the affected system, making it particularly dangerous in environments where zzcms manages sensitive user information or critical business data. Organizations relying on this version of zzcms face significant risk of data breaches and potential regulatory compliance violations.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2018-18787 should prioritize immediate patching of the zzcms application to version 8.4 or later, which contains the necessary fixes for this sql injection vulnerability. In the interim, administrators should implement input validation measures at the web application firewall level to filter malicious cookie values before they reach the vulnerable script. Additionally, parameterized queries should be implemented throughout the application to ensure that user inputs are properly escaped and treated as data rather than executable code. Security monitoring should include detection of unusual cookie patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of following secure coding practices as outlined in the software security development lifecycle, particularly focusing on input validation and output encoding to prevent injection attacks. Organizations should conduct comprehensive security assessments of their web applications to identify similar vulnerabilities and ensure proper implementation of defensive measures against sql injection threats.