CVE-2005-1250 in WhatsUp Professional
Summary
by MITRE
SQL injection vulnerability in the logon screen of the web front end (NmConsole/Login.asp) for IpSwitch WhatsUp Professional 2005 SP1 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via the (1) User Name field (sUserName parameter) or (2) Password (sPassword parameter).
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/04/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2005-1250 represents a critical SQL injection flaw within the IpSwitch WhatsUp Professional 2005 SP1 web interface, specifically affecting the NmConsole/Login.asp component. This vulnerability resides in the authentication mechanism where user credentials are processed through the web front end, creating an attack surface that remote adversaries can exploit to gain unauthorized access to the system. The flaw manifests when the application fails to properly sanitize user input received through HTTP parameters, particularly the sUserName and sPassword parameters that are transmitted during the login process. This represents a fundamental failure in input validation and output encoding practices that violates core security principles.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through the manipulation of the User Name and Password fields in the login screen, where attackers can inject malicious SQL code that gets executed against the underlying database. When the application processes these parameters without proper sanitization or parameterization, the injected SQL commands are interpreted and executed by the database engine, potentially allowing attackers to extract sensitive information, modify database records, or even execute administrative commands. This vulnerability directly maps to CWE-89, which describes improper neutralization of special elements used in an SQL command, and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1190 for exploiting vulnerabilities in web applications. The attack vector is particularly dangerous because it targets the authentication mechanism itself, potentially enabling attackers to bypass authentication entirely or escalate privileges within the system.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple unauthorized access, as successful exploitation could lead to complete system compromise and data breaches. Attackers could leverage this vulnerability to enumerate database users, extract configuration information, modify user accounts, or even gain access to underlying network infrastructure managed by WhatsUp Professional. The remote nature of the attack means that adversaries do not require physical access to the system, making this vulnerability particularly concerning for enterprise environments where network monitoring tools like WhatsUp Professional are deployed. Organizations using this software may experience unauthorized data access, system integrity compromise, and potential regulatory compliance violations depending on the sensitive nature of the monitored network information. The vulnerability affects the availability and confidentiality aspects of the CIA triad, potentially disrupting network monitoring operations while exposing sensitive infrastructure data.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should include immediate implementation of proper input validation and parameterized queries to prevent SQL injection attacks. Organizations should apply the vendor-provided security patches or upgrade to newer versions of IpSwitch WhatsUp Professional that address this vulnerability. Network segmentation and access controls should be implemented to limit exposure of the affected web interface to trusted networks only. Additionally, regular security assessments and penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other web applications within the infrastructure. Implementing web application firewalls and database activity monitoring solutions can provide additional layers of defense against exploitation attempts. Security teams should also establish proper incident response procedures to detect and respond to potential exploitation attempts, given that this vulnerability could be actively targeted by threat actors seeking to compromise network monitoring systems. The remediation process should also include comprehensive security awareness training for administrators to understand the importance of keeping software updated and implementing secure coding practices in web applications.