CVE-2012-0244 in WebAccess
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple SQL injection vulnerabilities in Advantech/BroadWin WebAccess before 7.0 allow remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via crafted string input.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/14/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2012-0244 represents a critical security flaw in Advantech/BroadWin WebAccess software versions prior to 7.0, exposing systems to remote code execution through SQL injection attacks. This vulnerability resides within the web-based interface of the industrial automation and SCADA (Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition) platform, which is widely deployed in critical infrastructure environments including manufacturing facilities, energy grids, and process control systems. The flaw allows malicious actors to inject arbitrary SQL commands through carefully crafted input strings, potentially compromising the entire database backend and underlying system integrity.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and sanitization within the WebAccess web interface components. When user-supplied data is directly incorporated into SQL queries without proper escaping or parameterization, attackers can manipulate the query structure to execute unintended database operations. This vulnerability specifically affects the authentication and data retrieval mechanisms within the web application, enabling attackers to bypass authentication controls, extract sensitive information from databases, and potentially gain deeper system access. The flaw aligns with CWE-89, which categorizes SQL injection vulnerabilities as a fundamental weakness in input validation and database interaction patterns. Attackers typically exploit this by crafting malicious payloads that append additional SQL commands to legitimate queries, potentially leading to complete database compromise and unauthorized access to operational data.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft, as it can severely disrupt industrial control systems and compromise the integrity of critical infrastructure operations. Organizations using affected WebAccess versions face significant risks including unauthorized access to process control data, potential system downtime, and exposure of sensitive operational information that could be leveraged for further attacks. The vulnerability is particularly concerning in industrial environments where WebAccess systems manage critical processes such as manufacturing control, energy distribution, and environmental monitoring. According to ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability maps to T1190 (Exploit Public-Facing Application) and T1071.005 (Application Layer Protocol: Web Protocols), as it exploits web-based interfaces to gain unauthorized access to industrial systems. The attack surface is further expanded due to the nature of SCADA systems, where compromised databases may contain configuration details, operational parameters, and control sequences that could be used to manipulate industrial processes.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2012-0244 require immediate implementation of the vendor-provided security patches and updates to WebAccess software versions 7.0 and later. Organizations should also implement network segmentation to limit access to WebAccess interfaces, deploy web application firewalls to detect and block malicious SQL injection attempts, and conduct comprehensive input validation across all web-facing applications. Additional defensive measures include implementing principle of least privilege access controls, regular security assessments of industrial web applications, and establishing monitoring procedures to detect anomalous database access patterns. Security teams should also consider conducting penetration testing to identify similar vulnerabilities in other industrial control systems and ensure proper database security configurations are in place to prevent exploitation of similar weaknesses in the broader industrial ecosystem.