CVE-2011-2403 in Network Automation
Summary
by MITRE
SQL injection vulnerability in HP Network Automation 7.2x, 7.5x, 7.6x, 9.0, and 9.10 allows remote authenticated users to execute arbitrary SQL commands via unspecified vectors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/16/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2011-2403 represents a critical SQL injection flaw within HP Network Automation software versions 7.2x through 9.10. This vulnerability affects a widely deployed network management platform that organizations use to automate and monitor their network infrastructure. The flaw exists in the application's handling of user input within database queries, creating an avenue for malicious actors to manipulate the underlying database operations. Security researchers have classified this issue as a remote authenticated vulnerability, meaning that attackers who have legitimate access credentials can exploit this weakness to gain unauthorized control over database operations. The vulnerability impacts multiple major releases of HP Network Automation, indicating a significant and persistent flaw in the software's input validation mechanisms.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate sanitization of user-supplied data before incorporating it into SQL command strings. When authenticated users submit data through various application interfaces, the software fails to properly escape or parameterize these inputs before executing database queries. This allows attackers to inject malicious SQL code that gets executed within the database context. The unspecified vectors suggest that multiple entry points within the application could be exploited, potentially including web forms, API endpoints, or administrative interfaces. The vulnerability specifically affects database interactions where user input directly influences query construction, making it particularly dangerous in environments where the application operates with elevated privileges. According to CWE classification, this represents a CWE-89: SQL Injection vulnerability, which is one of the most common and severe web application security flaws.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft, as it provides attackers with the capability to execute arbitrary SQL commands on the underlying database system. This could enable attackers to extract sensitive network configuration data, user credentials, or other critical infrastructure information. The remote nature of the attack means that exploitation does not require physical access to the network, making it particularly dangerous for organizations that maintain remote access capabilities. In network automation environments, this vulnerability could allow attackers to modify network configurations, disrupt services, or establish persistent access points within the network infrastructure. The attack surface is further expanded because HP Network Automation is often deployed in enterprise environments where database privileges are elevated, potentially allowing attackers to escalate their access beyond simple data extraction to full database control.
Organizations affected by this vulnerability should prioritize immediate remediation through official HP security patches and updates. The mitigation strategy should include implementing proper input validation, parameterized queries, and least privilege database access controls. Network segmentation and monitoring of database access patterns can help detect potential exploitation attempts. According to ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability maps to T1071.005: Application Layer Protocol: Web Protocols and T1566.001: Credential Access: Phishing, as attackers would need to first gain legitimate credentials before exploiting this weakness. Organizations should also consider implementing database activity monitoring solutions and conducting thorough security assessments of their network automation environments. The vulnerability highlights the importance of secure coding practices and regular security testing of enterprise applications, particularly those handling sensitive infrastructure data. Given the long support lifecycle of HP Network Automation, organizations should also evaluate their overall software inventory for similar vulnerabilities and implement comprehensive patch management processes to prevent future incidents of this nature.