CVE-2018-18791 in zzcms
Summary
by MITRE
An issue was discovered in zzcms 8.3. SQL Injection exists in zs/search.php via a pxzs cookie.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/03/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-18791 represents a critical sql injection flaw within the zzcms 8.3 content management system. This vulnerability specifically manifests in the zs/search.php component where user input from the pxzs cookie parameter is inadequately sanitized before being incorporated into database queries. The flaw allows malicious actors to manipulate database operations through crafted cookie values, potentially enabling unauthorized data access, modification, or deletion. The vulnerability stems from improper input validation and parameter handling practices within the application's search functionality.
This sql injection vulnerability falls under the category of CWE-89 which specifically addresses improper neutralization of special elements used in an sql command. The attack vector exploits the application's failure to properly escape or parameterize user-supplied data before executing database queries. When the pxzs cookie value is processed in the search.php script, the system directly incorporates this data into sql statements without adequate sanitization measures. The vulnerability demonstrates a classic case of insecure data handling where user-controllable inputs are seamlessly integrated into database operations without proper validation or encoding.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data exposure to encompass complete database compromise. An attacker could leverage this vulnerability to extract sensitive information including user credentials, personal data, and system configurations. The sql injection could potentially be exploited to execute arbitrary commands on the database server, leading to full system compromise. Additionally, the vulnerability may enable attackers to escalate privileges, modify database content, or even establish persistent backdoors within the application environment. The affected zzcms 8.3 system becomes vulnerable to various attack patterns including blind sql injection techniques that could be employed to systematically extract data through error-based or time-based methods.
From a threat modeling perspective, this vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1071.004 which covers application layer protocol manipulation. The attack chain typically begins with reconnaissance to identify the vulnerable application, followed by cookie manipulation to inject malicious sql payloads. Security professionals should consider this vulnerability in the context of broader web application security frameworks where cookie-based attacks represent a significant threat surface. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of implementing proper input validation and parameterized queries in all database interactions.
Recommended mitigations for this vulnerability include immediate implementation of parameterized queries or prepared statements in the search.php script to prevent sql injection. The application should sanitize all user inputs including cookie values through proper escaping and validation mechanisms before database processing. Security patches or updates from the zzcms vendor should be applied promptly to address this flaw. Network segmentation and web application firewalls can provide additional layers of protection by monitoring and blocking suspicious cookie patterns. Regular security assessments and code reviews should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other application components, with particular attention to all database interaction points. The implementation of proper input validation frameworks and adherence to secure coding practices can prevent similar vulnerabilities from emerging in future development cycles.