CVE-2012-1815 in DeltaV Workstation
Summary
by MITRE
SQL injection vulnerability in Emerson DeltaV and DeltaV Workstations 9.3.1, 10.3.1, 11.3, and 11.3.1 and DeltaV ProEssentials Scientific Graph 5.0.0.6 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via unspecified vectors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/26/2018
The CVE-2012-1815 vulnerability represents a critical SQL injection flaw affecting Emerson DeltaV and DeltaV Workstations software versions 9.3.1, 10.3.1, 11.3, and 11.3.1 along with DeltaV ProEssentials Scientific Graph 5.0.0.6. This vulnerability resides within industrial control systems that manage critical infrastructure operations in manufacturing and process control environments. The flaw allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands through unspecified attack vectors, potentially compromising the integrity and confidentiality of industrial database systems. The affected systems typically handle sensitive operational data including process parameters, configuration settings, and historical performance metrics that are essential for maintaining production continuity and safety protocols.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation mechanisms within the database interaction components of the DeltaV software suite. Attackers can exploit this weakness by crafting malicious SQL payloads that bypass authentication checks and gain unauthorized access to underlying database systems. The vulnerability's classification under CWE-89 indicates it falls within the category of improper neutralization of special elements used in SQL commands, where user-supplied data is directly incorporated into SQL queries without proper sanitization or parameterization. This type of flaw typically occurs when developers concatenate user inputs directly into database queries rather than utilizing prepared statements or parameterized queries that separate SQL code from data. The unspecified vectors suggest that the attack surface may encompass multiple entry points including web interfaces, API endpoints, or network protocols used for system administration and monitoring.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data compromise to potentially disrupt critical industrial processes and operations. Industrial control systems that rely on DeltaV software for process monitoring and control could face unauthorized modifications to process parameters, configuration changes, or complete system access that could lead to production shutdowns, safety incidents, or environmental hazards. The remote nature of the attack means that threat actors can exploit this vulnerability from external networks without requiring physical access to the industrial facilities, making it particularly dangerous for critical infrastructure protection. Organizations using these systems may experience unauthorized data exfiltration, modification of critical process settings, or complete system compromise that could affect production quality, safety protocols, and regulatory compliance requirements. The vulnerability's presence in multiple versions suggests a systemic issue within the software architecture that requires comprehensive remediation across affected deployments.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including network segmentation to isolate critical industrial systems from general network access, deployment of web application firewalls to filter malicious SQL payloads, and implementation of least privilege access controls for database connections. Regular security assessments and penetration testing should be conducted to identify additional vulnerabilities within industrial control system environments. The remediation process must involve updating to patched versions of the DeltaV software suite while maintaining detailed audit trails of all database access and modifications. System administrators should also review and strengthen input validation procedures, implement proper database query parameterization, and establish robust monitoring mechanisms to detect anomalous database access patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts. According to ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability maps to techniques involving SQL injection and credential access, requiring organizations to strengthen their defensive measures against both initial compromise and lateral movement within industrial networks. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of securing industrial control systems against cyber threats that could impact public safety and economic stability, emphasizing the need for comprehensive cybersecurity frameworks in critical infrastructure protection.