CVE-2018-9309 in zzcms
Summary
by MITRE
An issue was discovered in zzcms 8.2. It allows SQL injection via the id parameter in a dl/dl_sendsms.php request.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/22/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-9309 represents a critical SQL injection flaw within zzcms version 8.2, specifically affecting the dl/dl_sendsms.php component. This issue arises from inadequate input validation and sanitization mechanisms that fail to properly escape or filter user-supplied data before incorporating it into database queries. The vulnerability is particularly concerning as it exposes the application's database layer to malicious input through the id parameter, which is processed in the context of a SMS sending functionality.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from improper parameter handling within the dl_sendsms.php script where the id parameter is directly used in SQL query construction without appropriate sanitization measures. This flaw falls under the Common Weakness Enumeration category CWE-89, which specifically addresses SQL injection vulnerabilities that occur when untrusted data is incorporated into SQL commands without proper escaping or parameterization. The vulnerability allows attackers to manipulate database queries by injecting malicious SQL code through the id parameter, potentially enabling unauthorized data access, modification, or deletion operations.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability poses significant risks to the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of the affected system. Attackers could exploit this flaw to extract sensitive information from the database including user credentials, personal data, and system configurations. The impact extends beyond simple data theft as successful exploitation could lead to complete system compromise through privilege escalation, data corruption, or the execution of arbitrary commands on the database server. The vulnerability affects the SMS sending functionality which may be used for legitimate purposes such as notifications, but the underlying SQL injection flaw undermines the security of the entire application.
The exploitation of this vulnerability requires minimal technical expertise and can be automated using standard penetration testing tools. Attackers need only craft malicious payloads targeting the id parameter in the dl/dl_sendsms.php endpoint to achieve their objectives. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1071.004, which covers application layer protocol manipulation, and T1190, which addresses exploitation of remote services. The attack surface is relatively narrow as it requires access to the specific endpoint, but the potential impact is severe given the database access it provides.
Mitigation strategies should focus on implementing proper input validation and parameterized queries throughout the application codebase. The most effective solution involves replacing direct parameter concatenation with prepared statements or parameterized queries that separate SQL code from data. Additionally, implementing proper input sanitization, output encoding, and least privilege database access controls would significantly reduce the risk. Regular security code reviews and penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other components. The affected zzcms version should be updated to the latest release where this vulnerability has been patched, following the principle of keeping software components current with security updates. Organizations should also implement web application firewalls and database activity monitoring to detect and prevent exploitation attempts.