CVE-2017-9848 – This is a critical SQL injection vulnerability ... (How to Fix)

📋 TL;DR

This is a critical SQL injection vulnerability in Easysite 7.0's web services that allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands. Attackers can exploit it by sending specially crafted XML documents to the C_InfoService.asmx endpoint. Organizations running Easysite 7.0 with web services exposed are affected.

💻 Affected Systems

Products:

Easysite

Versions: 7.0

Operating Systems: Windows (typically)

Default Config Vulnerable: ⚠️ Yes

Notes: Vulnerability exists in the C_InfoService.asmx web service endpoint which is typically exposed in default configurations.

📦 What is this software?

Easysite by Easysitecms

View all CVEs affecting Easysite →

⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact

🔴

Worst Case

Complete database compromise leading to data theft, data manipulation, or full system takeover via SQL command execution.

🟠

Likely Case

Database information disclosure, data manipulation, or potential privilege escalation through SQL injection.

🟢

If Mitigated

Limited impact if proper input validation, parameterized queries, and network segmentation are implemented.

🌐 Internet-Facing: HIGH - The vulnerability affects web services that are typically internet-facing, allowing remote exploitation.

🏢 Internal Only: MEDIUM - Internal systems could still be vulnerable if attackers gain network access or through insider threats.

🎯 Exploit Status

Public PoC: ⚠️ Yes

Weaponized: LIKELY

Unauthenticated Exploit: ⚠️ Yes

Complexity: LOW

Exploitation requires crafting XML with malicious ArticleIDs element, which is straightforward for attackers with SQL injection knowledge.

🛠️ Fix & Mitigation

✅ Official Fix

Patch Version: Unknown

Vendor Advisory: No official vendor advisory found in provided references

Restart Required: No

Instructions:

1. Check with Easysite vendor for official patch or update
2. If no patch available, implement workarounds immediately
3. Consider upgrading to a newer, supported version of Easysite

🔧 Temporary Workarounds

Input Validation Filter

all

Implement strict input validation to reject malicious XML containing SQL injection payloads

Implement web application firewall rules to block SQL injection patterns in XML payloads
Add input validation in C_InfoService.asmx to sanitize ArticleIDs parameter

Network Access Restriction

all

Restrict access to the vulnerable web service endpoint

Configure firewall to block external access to /WebServices/C_InfoService.asmx
Implement IP whitelisting for the endpoint

🧯 If You Can't Patch

Implement web application firewall with SQL injection detection rules
Isolate the Easysite server in a segmented network zone with strict access controls

🔍 How to Verify

Check if Vulnerable:

Test by sending crafted XML with SQL injection payload to C_InfoService.asmx endpoint and observing database errors or unexpected responses

Check Version:

Check Easysite administration panel or configuration files for version information

Verify Fix Applied:

Attempt SQL injection test after implementing fixes and verify no database errors or unauthorized access occurs

📡 Detection & Monitoring

Log Indicators:

Unusual SQL errors in application logs
Multiple requests to C_InfoService.asmx with XML payloads
Database query patterns from web service user

Network Indicators:

XML requests containing SQL keywords (SELECT, UNION, etc.) in ArticleIDs parameter
Unusual traffic patterns to the web services endpoint

SIEM Query:

source="easysite_logs" AND (uri="/WebServices/C_InfoService.asmx" AND (message="SQL" OR message="syntax" OR message="error"))

📊 Metadata

CVE ID: CVE-2017-9848

CVSS v3 Score: 9.8 (CRITICAL)

CVSS Vector: CVSS:3.0/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H

CWE: CWE-89

Published: June 24, 2017

Last Updated: April 20, 2025

🔗 References

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