CVE-2012-0805 in SQLAlchemy
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple SQL injection vulnerabilities in SQLAlchemy before 0.7.0b4, as used in Keystone, allow remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via the (1) limit or (2) offset keyword to the select function, or unspecified vectors to the (3) select.limit or (4) select.offset function.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/03/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2012-0805 represents a critical SQL injection flaw affecting SQLAlchemy versions prior to 0.7.0b4, which was widely utilized in OpenStack Keystone authentication services. This vulnerability exposes applications to remote code execution through manipulation of database query parameters, creating significant security risks for cloud infrastructure deployments. The flaw specifically targets the select function's limit and offset keyword parameters, which are fundamental components of database query construction in SQLAlchemy's object-relational mapping framework.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and parameter sanitization within SQLAlchemy's query building mechanisms. When developers utilize the select function with limit or offset parameters, the framework fails to properly escape or validate user-supplied input before incorporating it into SQL statements. This oversight allows malicious actors to inject arbitrary SQL commands through carefully crafted limit and offset values, effectively bypassing normal database security controls. The vulnerability manifests in multiple attack vectors including direct manipulation of select.limit and select.offset function calls, making it particularly challenging to defend against through conventional input filtering approaches.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft, as it enables complete database compromise and potential lateral movement within cloud environments. Attackers exploiting this vulnerability can execute arbitrary SQL commands, potentially gaining access to sensitive user credentials, authentication tokens, and other critical system information stored within Keystone's database. The widespread adoption of SQLAlchemy in OpenStack deployments meant that numerous cloud infrastructure components were potentially vulnerable, creating a significant attack surface for threat actors targeting cloud environments. This vulnerability directly impacts the CIA triad by compromising confidentiality through unauthorized data access, integrity through potential data manipulation, and availability through possible service disruption.
Organizations affected by this vulnerability should prioritize immediate patching of SQLAlchemy components to versions 0.7.0b4 or later, which contain the necessary input validation fixes. Additionally, implementing proper parameterized queries and input sanitization at application layers provides additional defense-in-depth measures. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-89, which specifically addresses SQL injection flaws, and represents a clear violation of secure coding practices outlined in OWASP Top Ten. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to T1190 (Exploit Public-Facing Application) and T1071.004 (Application Layer Protocol: DNS) through the exploitation of database interfaces, while also enabling potential T1005 (Data from Local System) and T1046 (Network Service Scanning) activities. System administrators should also implement database query monitoring and logging to detect anomalous SQL patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts, particularly focusing on unusual limit and offset parameter values that could indicate malicious input.