CVE-2011-1653 in Total Defense
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple SQL injection vulnerabilities in the Unified Network Control (UNC) Server in CA Total Defense (TD) r12 before SE2 allow remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via vectors involving the (1) UnAssignFunctionalRoles, (2) UnassignAdminRoles, (3) DeleteFilter, (4) NonAssignedUserList, (5) DeleteReportLayout, (6) DeleteReports, and (7) RegenerateReport stored procedures.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/06/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2011-1653 represents a critical SQL injection flaw within the Unified Network Control server component of CA Total Defense r12 before SE2. This vulnerability affects multiple stored procedures that handle administrative functions within the security management platform, creating a significant attack surface for malicious actors seeking to compromise the system. The affected stored procedures include UnAssignFunctionalRoles, UnassignAdminRoles, DeleteFilter, NonAssignedUserList, DeleteReportLayout, DeleteReports, and RegenerateReport, all of which process user input without proper sanitization or parameterization. The vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation mechanisms that fail to properly escape or sanitize data passed to database queries, allowing attackers to inject malicious SQL payloads that can be executed within the context of the database server.
From a technical perspective, this vulnerability operates under CWE-89 which classifies it as a SQL injection weakness, specifically manifesting in the way the UNC server processes user-supplied parameters within stored procedure calls. The attack vector involves remote exploitation where an attacker can craft malicious input parameters that get directly incorporated into SQL queries executed against the backend database. When these queries are processed, the injected SQL commands execute with the privileges of the database user account under which the UNC server operates, potentially enabling full database compromise, data exfiltration, or unauthorized access to sensitive security information. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it affects administrative stored procedures that likely handle privileged operations, meaning successful exploitation could grant attackers elevated privileges within the security management infrastructure.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft to encompass complete system compromise and potential lateral movement within network security infrastructure. Organizations relying on CA Total Defense for security management could face unauthorized access to critical security controls, including user management, role assignments, and report generation capabilities. Attackers could potentially delete critical security configurations, manipulate access controls, or extract sensitive information from the database containing security policies and network configurations. The vulnerability's remote nature means that attackers do not require physical access or network proximity to exploit, making it particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where security systems are often exposed to external networks. This vulnerability also aligns with ATT&CK technique T1071.004 which covers application layer protocol usage, as the exploitation would likely occur through network-based protocols used for communication with the UNC server.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should prioritize immediate patching of the CA Total Defense r12 installation to SE2 or later versions where the SQL injection flaws have been addressed. Organizations should implement input validation and parameterized queries for all database interactions within the UNC server components, ensuring that user-supplied data is properly escaped or parameterized before being incorporated into SQL statements. Network segmentation and access controls should be implemented to limit exposure of the UNC server to only authorized administrative networks. Additionally, implementing database activity monitoring and intrusion detection systems can help identify suspicious database query patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts. Security teams should also conduct thorough audits of all stored procedures within the application to identify similar vulnerabilities and implement comprehensive input sanitization across the entire security management platform. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of secure coding practices and input validation in security infrastructure applications, particularly those handling administrative functions and sensitive security data.