CVE-2023-53917 is a SQL injection vulnerability identified in version 5.0.1 of the Affiliate Me software developed by powerstonegh. The flaw resides in the admin.php endpoint, specifically in the handling of the 'id' parameter, which lacks proper neutralization of special elements used in SQL commands. This improper sanitization enables an authenticated administrator to inject malicious SQL code using union-based queries. Such injection allows attackers to manipulate database queries to extract sensitive information, including usernames and password hashes stored within the system. The vulnerability is characterized by a CVSS 4.0 score of 8.7, indicating high severity due to its network attack vector, low attack complexity, no requirement for user interaction, and the need for only low-level privileges (authenticated admin). The vulnerability does not require additional authentication bypass or social engineering, making it relatively straightforward for insiders or compromised admin accounts to exploit. Although no public exploits are currently reported, the risk remains substantial given the sensitive nature of the data accessible through the injection. The vulnerability impacts the confidentiality and integrity of the database, potentially leading to unauthorized data disclosure and further compromise if password hashes are cracked. The lack of patches at the time of reporting necessitates immediate mitigation steps to reduce exposure.

For European organizations, exploitation of this vulnerability could lead to significant data breaches involving sensitive user credentials and affiliate data, undermining trust and potentially violating GDPR requirements regarding personal data protection. Compromise of administrator accounts or insider threats could leverage this flaw to exfiltrate confidential information, disrupt affiliate marketing operations, or facilitate further lateral movement within networks. The exposure of password hashes increases the risk of credential stuffing attacks against other systems if users reuse passwords. Additionally, reputational damage and financial penalties could arise from non-compliance with data protection regulations. Organizations relying on Affiliate Me for affiliate program management may face operational disruptions and increased incident response costs. Given the vulnerability requires authenticated admin access, insider threats or compromised admin credentials pose the greatest risk, emphasizing the need for robust access controls and monitoring.

Organizations should immediately audit and restrict administrative access to Affiliate Me to trusted personnel only, employing strong multi-factor authentication to reduce the risk of credential compromise. Input validation and parameterized queries should be implemented or verified in the admin.php endpoint to prevent SQL injection. Until an official patch is released, consider deploying web application firewalls (WAFs) with custom rules to detect and block suspicious SQL injection patterns targeting the 'id' parameter. Regularly monitor logs for unusual database query patterns or unauthorized access attempts. Conduct thorough security assessments of the Affiliate Me deployment and isolate the application within segmented network zones to limit lateral movement. Educate administrators on secure credential handling and monitor for signs of insider threat activity. Once patches become available, prioritize their deployment in all affected environments. Additionally, review password storage mechanisms to ensure strong hashing algorithms are used, and consider enforcing password resets if compromise is suspected.