CVE-2012-0728 in Maximo Asset Management
Summary
by MITRE
SQL injection vulnerability in IBM Maximo Asset Management 7.1 through 7.5, as used in SmartCloud Control Desk, Tivoli Asset Management for IT, Tivoli Service Request Manager, Maximo Service Desk, and Change and Configuration Management Database (CCMDB), allows remote authenticated users to execute arbitrary SQL commands via unspecified vectors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/07/2017
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2012-0728 represents a critical SQL injection flaw affecting IBM Maximo Asset Management versions 7.1 through 7.5, which are widely deployed across enterprise asset management solutions including SmartCloud Control Desk, Tivoli Asset Management for IT, Tivoli Service Request Manager, Maximo Service Desk, and Change and Configuration Management Database systems. This vulnerability resides within the core database interaction mechanisms of these enterprise applications, creating a significant attack surface for malicious actors who can leverage it to gain unauthorized access to underlying database systems. The flaw specifically allows authenticated remote attackers to inject malicious SQL commands through unspecified vectors, bypassing normal authentication and authorization controls that should protect database integrity and confidentiality.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and sanitization within the application's database query construction processes. When legitimate users authenticate and interact with the Maximo applications, the system fails to properly escape or parameterize user-supplied inputs before incorporating them into SQL queries. This allows attackers who have valid credentials to manipulate database requests through crafted input fields, API calls, or web interface interactions. The vulnerability manifests across multiple IBM Maximo products due to shared codebases and common database interaction patterns, making it particularly dangerous as a single authenticated user could potentially compromise multiple systems within an enterprise environment. The unspecified vectors suggest that the vulnerability could be exploited through various entry points including web forms, API endpoints, or direct database interface calls, complicating detection and remediation efforts.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends far beyond simple data theft, as successful exploitation could enable attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands with the privileges of the database user account. This capability allows for complete database enumeration, data modification, deletion of critical assets, privilege escalation to administrative database accounts, and potential lateral movement within the enterprise network. Organizations using these Maximo versions face significant risks including regulatory compliance violations, intellectual property theft, service disruption, and financial losses due to potential data breaches. The authenticated nature of the exploit means that attackers do not require system-level access or sophisticated reconnaissance, making the vulnerability particularly attractive to both insider threats and external attackers who can obtain legitimate user credentials through social engineering, credential theft, or other means. The widespread deployment of these systems across enterprise environments increases the potential attack surface and the severity of impact.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2012-0728 should prioritize immediate patching of affected IBM Maximo versions through official IBM security updates, as this vulnerability was addressed in subsequent releases. Organizations should implement comprehensive input validation and parameterized query execution throughout their Maximo deployments, following secure coding practices that align with CWE-89 standards for SQL injection prevention. Network segmentation and principle of least privilege access controls should be enforced to limit the potential damage from successful exploitation, while enhanced monitoring and logging of database activities can help detect anomalous query patterns. Security teams should conduct thorough vulnerability assessments across all deployed Maximo instances and related Tivoli products, implementing multi-factor authentication and regular credential rotation to reduce the risk of unauthorized access. Additionally, organizations should consider implementing database activity monitoring tools and intrusion detection systems to provide early warning of potential exploitation attempts, while maintaining detailed incident response procedures for handling potential SQL injection attacks. The vulnerability serves as a critical reminder of the importance of secure coding practices and regular security assessments in enterprise asset management systems, particularly those handling sensitive business data and critical infrastructure information.