CVE-2018-18789 in zzcms
Summary
by MITRE
An issue was discovered in zzcms 8.3. SQL Injection exists in zt/top.php via a Host HTTP header to zt/news.php.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/07/2020
The vulnerability CVE-2018-18789 represents a critical sql injection flaw in zzcms version 8.3 that stems from improper input validation in the web application's handling of http headers. This vulnerability specifically affects the zt/top.php component which processes a Host http header parameter and subsequently forwards it to zt/news.php without adequate sanitization or parameterization. The issue manifests when an attacker crafts a malicious Host header value that contains sql payload data, which then gets executed within the database context of the vulnerable application. This type of vulnerability falls under the category of cwe-89 sql injection as defined by the common weakness enumeration framework, where user-controllable data enters a sql query without proper validation or escaping mechanisms.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe as it allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary sql commands against the underlying database system. Attackers can leverage this weakness to extract sensitive information from database tables including user credentials, personal data, and application configuration details. The vulnerability enables unauthorized database access and manipulation, potentially leading to complete system compromise where attackers can modify or delete critical data, create new administrative accounts, or even escalate privileges within the database environment. The attack surface is particularly concerning because http headers are commonly used in web applications and are often not properly validated, making this vector of exploitation quite accessible to threat actors.
From a tactical perspective, this vulnerability aligns with several techniques documented in the attack tactics and techniques framework where adversaries can leverage sql injection to gain initial access or escalate privileges. The specific exploitation requires minimal reconnaissance as the Host header is automatically included in http requests, making this a low-hanging fruit for automated scanning tools. The vulnerability demonstrates poor input validation practices that violate fundamental security principles for web application development, particularly in the context of secure coding guidelines that emphasize parameterized queries and proper input sanitization. Organizations using zzcms 8.3 should immediately implement mitigations including input validation for all http headers, parameterized database queries, and web application firewall rules that can detect and block sql injection patterns in header data. Additionally, regular security assessments and code reviews should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other components of the application stack.
The remediation approach should involve immediate patching of the zzcms application to version 8.4 or later where this vulnerability has been addressed. In the interim, administrators should implement defensive measures such as restricting access to the vulnerable endpoints, implementing proper header validation, and monitoring for suspicious http header patterns in web server logs. The vulnerability also underscores the importance of following secure coding practices and conducting regular security testing to identify and remediate injection vulnerabilities before they can be exploited by malicious actors. Organizations should also consider implementing database activity monitoring and intrusion detection systems to detect potential exploitation attempts of sql injection vulnerabilities.