CVE-2011-2703 in MapServer
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple SQL injection vulnerabilities in MapServer before 4.10.7, 5.x before 5.6.7, and 6.x before 6.0.1 allow remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via vectors related to (1) OGC filter encoding or (2) WMS time support.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/15/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2011-2703 represents a critical SQL injection flaw affecting MapServer versions prior to 4.10.7, 5.x versions before 5.6.7, and 6.x versions before 6.0.1. This vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and sanitization within the map server's handling of OGC filter encoding and WMS time support parameters. The flaw allows remote attackers to inject malicious SQL commands through carefully crafted requests that exploit the lack of proper parameter escaping and validation in these specific components.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs when MapServer processes OGC filter encoding or WMS time support parameters without adequate sanitization of user-supplied input. When these parameters contain malicious SQL payloads, the application fails to properly escape or validate the input before incorporating it into database queries. This creates an exploitable condition where attackers can manipulate the underlying database operations to execute arbitrary SQL commands. The vulnerability specifically affects the way MapServer constructs SQL queries when processing these particular OGC and WMS protocols, making it particularly dangerous in web mapping applications that rely on MapServer for data processing.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability poses significant risks to organizations using MapServer for geographic information systems and web mapping applications. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to gain unauthorized access to the underlying database systems, potentially leading to data exfiltration, data manipulation, or complete system compromise. The remote nature of the attack means that adversaries do not require physical access to the system and can exploit the vulnerability from anywhere on the network. This makes the vulnerability particularly attractive to threat actors targeting web mapping services, GIS applications, and location-based services that depend on MapServer infrastructure.
The impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft, as successful exploitation can lead to complete system compromise and persistent access to sensitive geographic data. Organizations using affected MapServer versions may experience unauthorized database access, data corruption, or unauthorized modification of mapping data that could affect critical infrastructure operations. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-89, which describes SQL injection flaws, and represents a clear violation of secure coding practices that should prevent user input from being directly incorporated into database queries without proper sanitization. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to techniques involving command and control through database access and data manipulation, potentially enabling lateral movement within networks that rely on the compromised mapping infrastructure.
Organizations should immediately upgrade to MapServer versions 4.10.7, 5.6.7, or 6.0.1 to remediate this vulnerability. Additionally, implementing proper input validation, parameterized queries, and regular security assessments of web mapping applications can help prevent similar vulnerabilities from emerging. Network segmentation and monitoring of database access patterns can provide early detection of potential exploitation attempts. The vulnerability highlights the importance of maintaining current software versions and implementing robust input validation controls in applications that interact with database systems, particularly in geospatial and mapping applications where the data integrity and system security are paramount.