CVE-2011-2546 in SA 500 Software
Summary
by MITRE
SQL injection vulnerability in the web-based management interface on Cisco SA 500 series security appliances with software before 2.1.19 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via unspecified vectors, aka Bug ID CSCtq65669.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/28/2017
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2011-2546 represents a critical SQL injection flaw within the web-based management interface of Cisco SA 500 series security appliances. This vulnerability affects devices running software versions prior to 2.1.19 and exposes the system to remote exploitation by malicious actors who can execute arbitrary SQL commands through unspecified attack vectors. The issue was documented under Bug ID CSCtq65669, indicating its recognition within Cisco's internal tracking systems and highlighting the severity of the flaw in network security infrastructure.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation within the web interface of the security appliance, allowing attackers to inject malicious SQL code into database queries. When the appliance processes user-supplied input through the management interface, it fails to properly sanitize or escape special characters that could alter the intended database query structure. This weakness creates a pathway for attackers to manipulate the underlying database operations and potentially gain unauthorized access to sensitive system information or execute commands with elevated privileges. The vulnerability operates at the application layer and specifically targets the authentication and management functions of the security appliance.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability poses significant risks to organizations relying on Cisco SA 500 series appliances for network security. Remote attackers who successfully exploit this vulnerability can potentially compromise the entire security appliance, gaining access to administrative functions and sensitive configuration data. The impact extends beyond simple data theft as attackers could modify firewall rules, alter network policies, or even escalate privileges to gain complete control over the appliance. This threat is particularly concerning given that the affected appliances serve as fundamental network security components that protect enterprise environments from external threats.
The vulnerability aligns with CWE-89, which classifies SQL injection as a weakness in software that allows attackers to manipulate database queries through untrusted input. From an adversarial perspective, this flaw maps to multiple ATT&CK techniques including T1190 for exploitation of vulnerabilities and T1078 for valid accounts usage, as attackers could potentially leverage the compromised appliance to establish persistent access to network resources. Organizations should consider implementing network segmentation and monitoring to detect anomalous database access patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2011-2546 primarily involve upgrading the affected Cisco SA 500 series appliances to software version 2.1.19 or later, which contains the necessary patches to address the SQL injection vulnerability. Organizations should also implement network access controls to restrict access to the appliance's management interface, limiting the attack surface by restricting access to authorized personnel only. Additional protective measures include implementing web application firewalls, monitoring database access logs for suspicious activity, and conducting regular security assessments of network infrastructure. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of maintaining up-to-date security firmware and following vendor security advisories to protect against known exploits in critical network infrastructure components.