CVE-2004-1498 in Helm Control Panel
Summary
by MITRE
SQL injection vulnerability in the compose message form in HELM 3.1.19 and earlier allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via the messageToUserAccNum parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/15/2017
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2004-1498 represents a critical sql injection flaw within the HELM 3.1.19 web application framework and earlier versions. This vulnerability specifically targets the compose message form functionality, which serves as a communication interface for users to send messages within the system. The flaw manifests when the application fails to properly sanitize user input submitted through the messageToUserAccNum parameter, creating an avenue for malicious actors to inject arbitrary sql commands directly into the database query execution layer. This particular vulnerability falls under the category of insecure input handling and demonstrates a classic sql injection attack vector that has been prevalent in web applications for decades.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when an attacker submits malicious input through the messageToUserAccNum parameter in the compose message form. The application processes this input without proper validation or sanitization, allowing sql commands embedded within the parameter to be executed against the underlying database. This creates a scenario where attackers can perform unauthorized database operations including data extraction, modification, or deletion, potentially gaining access to sensitive user information, system credentials, or administrative privileges. The vulnerability's impact is amplified by the fact that it operates within a messaging framework, which typically handles user communications and may contain personal identifiable information or business-critical data. The flaw directly maps to CWE-89 which categorizes sql injection as a weakness that allows attackers to manipulate database queries through untrusted input.
Operationally, this vulnerability presents a significant risk to organizations utilizing HELM 3.1.19 or earlier versions, as it provides remote attackers with a straightforward method to compromise database integrity and confidentiality. The attack surface is relatively narrow, focusing specifically on the compose message functionality, but its impact can be severe given that database access often provides attackers with extensive privileges within the system. Organizations may experience data breaches, unauthorized access to user accounts, and potential system compromise that could extend beyond the immediate database layer. The vulnerability's remote exploitability means that attackers do not require physical access to the system or local network presence, making it particularly dangerous in internet-facing applications. This type of vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1190 which describes exploitation of remote services and T1071.004 which covers application layer protocol manipulation.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should prioritize immediate remediation through software updates to HELM versions that address the sql injection flaw. Organizations should implement proper input validation and parameterized queries to prevent user input from being interpreted as sql commands. Additionally, the principle of least privilege should be enforced by ensuring database accounts used by the application have minimal required permissions, preventing attackers from performing destructive operations even if successful in injection attacks. Regular security audits and input validation testing should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other application components. Network segmentation and intrusion detection systems can provide additional layers of defense, while application firewalls may help filter malicious sql injection attempts before they reach the database layer. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical importance of secure coding practices and the necessity of regular security assessments to identify and remediate sql injection vulnerabilities in web applications.