CVE-2011-3340 in Netvolution
Summary
by MITRE
SQL injection vulnerability in ATCOM Netvolution 2.5.8 ASP allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via the Referer HTTP header.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/28/2024
The CVE-2011-3340 vulnerability represents a critical sql injection flaw discovered in ATCOM Netvolution 2.5.8, an application designed for network management and monitoring purposes. This vulnerability specifically targets the handling of http request headers, particularly the referer header, which is commonly used by web applications to track the source of incoming requests. The flaw allows remote attackers to inject malicious sql commands directly through this header field, bypassing normal input validation mechanisms that should protect against such attacks.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from improper input sanitization within the application's backend sql query construction process. When the application processes incoming http requests, it fails to properly escape or validate the contents of the referer header before incorporating it into sql queries. This creates a direct pathway for attackers to manipulate the sql execution flow by crafting malicious referer values that contain sql injection payloads. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it leverages a header field that is automatically included in most http requests, making exploitation relatively straightforward and隐蔽.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability enables attackers to gain unauthorized access to the underlying database system hosting the ATCOM Netvolution application. Successful exploitation could result in data theft, data modification, or complete database compromise, potentially affecting network configuration data, user credentials, and operational logs. The remote nature of the attack means that threat actors do not require physical access to the network infrastructure, making this vulnerability particularly dangerous for organizations relying on this network management solution. The vulnerability also poses risks to network security monitoring capabilities, as attackers could potentially manipulate or delete log entries that are crucial for security incident response.
Organizations affected by this vulnerability should implement immediate mitigations including input validation and sanitization of all http headers, particularly the referer field, and consider implementing web application firewalls to filter malicious requests. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-89 which specifically addresses sql injection weaknesses in software applications. From an att&ck framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to technique T1190 - exploit public-facing application, and T1071.004 - application layer protocol, demonstrating how attackers can leverage web application flaws to achieve their objectives. Additionally, the vulnerability highlights the importance of proper input validation practices as outlined in the owasp top ten category a03:2021 - injection vulnerabilities, emphasizing that applications must properly sanitize all user inputs including http headers that are not explicitly intended for user interaction.