CVE-2012-0234 in WebAccess
Summary
by MITRE
SQL injection vulnerability in Advantech/BroadWin WebAccess before 7.0 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via a malformed URL.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/10/2017
The CVE-2012-0234 vulnerability represents a critical sql injection flaw discovered in advantechs broadwin webaccess software prior to version 7.0. this vulnerability resides within the webaccess web server component that handles http requests and processes user input through url parameters. the flaw enables remote attackers to inject malicious sql commands directly into the application's database interface without requiring authentication or physical access to the system. the vulnerability specifically manifests when the webaccess application fails to properly sanitize or validate url parameters before incorporating them into sql queries. this weakness allows an attacker to manipulate the sql execution flow by crafting malicious url requests that contain sql injection payloads.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation mechanisms within the webaccess web server's request processing pipeline. when users access the webaccess interface through a browser or other http clients, the application parses url parameters and directly incorporates them into sql queries without proper sanitization or parameterization. this creates a classic sql injection attack vector where malicious sql commands can be executed with the privileges of the webaccess application's database user. the vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it operates at the web application layer, allowing attackers to bypass traditional network security controls and directly target the database backend. according to the common weakness enumeration framework, this vulnerability maps to cwe-89 sql injection, which is classified as a high severity weakness in the owasp top ten security risks.
The operational impact of CVE-2012-0234 extends beyond simple data theft to encompass complete database compromise and potential system escalation. attackers can leverage this vulnerability to extract sensitive information including user credentials, operational data, and configuration details from the webaccess database. the attack surface is particularly broad as the vulnerability affects the webaccess web server component that handles various administrative and operational functions. successful exploitation could lead to complete system takeover, data manipulation, and denial of service conditions that disrupt industrial control operations. the vulnerability's remote exploitability means that attackers can target affected systems from anywhere on the internet without requiring physical access or network proximity. organizations using broadwin webaccess prior to version 7.0 face significant risk of unauthorized access to their industrial control systems, potentially compromising critical infrastructure operations.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2012-0234 should prioritize immediate software updates to version 7.0 or later where the vulnerability has been patched. organizations should implement network segmentation to isolate webaccess components from critical industrial systems and restrict access through firewall rules to only authorized ip addresses. input validation and output encoding should be implemented at multiple layers including web application firewalls and application code level to prevent malicious sql payloads from reaching database interfaces. regular security assessments and penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other industrial control system components. according to the mitre attack framework, this vulnerability could be leveraged as part of a broader attack chain where initial access leads to lateral movement and privilege escalation within industrial networks. organizations should also implement database activity monitoring to detect anomalous sql query patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts. the vulnerability highlights the importance of secure coding practices and input validation in industrial control systems where the consequences of security breaches can extend beyond traditional information technology impacts to physical system safety and operational continuity.