CVE-2008-3370 in Centera Universal Access
Summary
by MITRE
SQL injection vulnerability in the CUA Login Module in EMC Centera Universal Access (CUA) 4.0_4735.p4 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via the user (user name) field.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/09/2025
The CVE-2008-3370 vulnerability represents a critical sql injection flaw within the EMC Centera Universal Access CUA 4.0_4735.p4 authentication module. This vulnerability specifically targets the user name field in the CUA Login Module, creating a pathway for remote attackers to execute arbitrary sql commands against the underlying database system. The flaw stems from inadequate input validation and sanitization of user-provided credentials, allowing maliciously crafted input to be directly interpreted and executed as sql code by the application's database layer.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-89, which categorizes sql injection as a severe weakness in application security. The vulnerability operates by bypassing normal authentication mechanisms and directly manipulating the sql query execution flow through the user name parameter. When an attacker submits malicious input containing sql payload within the user field, the application fails to properly escape or parameterize the input before incorporating it into database queries, thereby enabling unauthorized database access and manipulation.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents a significant risk to organizations utilizing EMC Centera Universal Access systems. Remote attackers can exploit this weakness to gain unauthorized access to sensitive user credentials, potentially leading to complete system compromise. The impact extends beyond simple credential theft, as attackers may be able to extract, modify, or delete database records, execute administrative commands, and establish persistent access to the system. This vulnerability directly maps to several ATT&CK tactics including credential access through sql injection and privilege escalation by leveraging database access.
The exploitation of this vulnerability requires minimal technical expertise and can be executed remotely without requiring physical access to the system. Organizations using CUA 4.0_4735.p4 are particularly vulnerable as this represents a known flaw in the authentication module that forms the core security boundary for the system. The attack surface is broad since the vulnerability affects the login functionality, which is accessed by all legitimate users and potential attackers alike. This makes the vulnerability especially dangerous as it can be exploited by both internal and external threat actors.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should include immediate patching of the CUA software to the latest available version that addresses the sql injection flaw. Organizations should also implement input validation controls and parameterized queries to prevent similar issues in custom applications. Network segmentation and access controls can help limit the impact of exploitation attempts, while regular security assessments and penetration testing should be conducted to identify additional vulnerabilities. Database activity monitoring and intrusion detection systems can provide early warning of exploitation attempts, and security awareness training for administrators can help prevent social engineering attacks that might exploit this vulnerability.