CVE-2018-18792 in zzcms
Summary
by MITRE
An issue was discovered in zzcms 8.3. SQL Injection exists in zs/zs_list.php via a pxzs cookie.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/07/2020
The vulnerability CVE-2018-18792 represents a critical sql injection flaw in zzcms version 8.3 that specifically affects the zs/zs_list.php component through improper handling of the pxzs cookie parameter. This issue falls under the category of cwe-89 sql injection as defined by the common weakness enumeration catalog, where malicious actors can manipulate database queries by injecting harmful sql code through user-controllable input vectors. The vulnerability exists within the application's data processing pipeline where cookie values are directly incorporated into sql queries without adequate sanitization or parameterization mechanisms.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when an attacker manipulates the pxzs cookie value sent to the zs/zs_list.php endpoint, allowing them to inject malicious sql payloads that can be executed against the underlying database. This type of injection attack leverages the principle of insufficient input validation and inadequate output encoding, enabling attackers to bypass normal authentication mechanisms and gain unauthorized access to sensitive data. The attack vector specifically targets the cookie-based session management system, which represents a common entry point for persistent attackers who can maintain long-term access to compromised systems.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft, as it provides attackers with the capability to perform complete database compromise including data modification, deletion, and unauthorized access to administrative functions. This vulnerability can be exploited to extract confidential information such as user credentials, personal data, and business-sensitive records from the database. The implications align with the attack technique described in the mitre att&ck framework under initial access and credential access phases, where attackers can establish persistent access through database compromise. The vulnerability also represents a significant risk to application availability and integrity, as attackers could potentially corrupt or destroy database contents.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should include immediate implementation of proper input validation and parameterized queries to prevent sql injection attacks. The application should sanitize all cookie values before processing them in database operations and implement proper escape sequences for sql special characters. Additionally, web application firewalls should be configured to detect and block suspicious sql injection patterns in cookie parameters. Regular security updates and code reviews should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other components of the zzcms application. The remediation efforts should follow security best practices outlined in owasp top ten and nist cybersecurity framework guidelines to ensure comprehensive protection against sql injection threats. Organizations should also implement database access controls and monitoring systems to detect unauthorized database access attempts and maintain audit logs for security incident response.