CVE-2012-1827 in AutoFORM PDM Archive
Summary
by MITRE
The web service in AutoFORM PDM Archive before 7.1 does not have authorization requirements, which allows remote authenticated users to perform database operations via a SOAP request, as demonstrated by the initializeQueryDatabase2 request.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/09/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2012-1827 represents a critical authorization flaw within the AutoFORM PDM Archive web service component prior to version 7.1. This issue stems from the absence of proper access controls in the web service implementation, creating a significant security weakness that can be exploited by authenticated attackers. The vulnerability specifically affects the SOAP-based web service interface that handles database operations, making it particularly dangerous as it allows for direct manipulation of the underlying database through well-formed SOAP requests. The flaw exists at the service level where authentication occurs but authorization checks are either missing or improperly implemented, creating an attack surface that bypasses normal access control mechanisms. This type of vulnerability is classified under CWE-284 as improper access control, where the system fails to properly enforce access restrictions on its resources.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability involves sending authenticated SOAP requests to the web service endpoints without proper authorization validation. The specific demonstration mentioned in the CVE description focuses on the initializeQueryDatabase2 request, which indicates that the flaw affects database initialization and query operations. Attackers can leverage this weakness to perform unauthorized database operations including but not limited to data retrieval, modification, or deletion, depending on the permissions granted to the authenticated user account. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it requires only authentication credentials to exploit, meaning that any authenticated user with access to the web service can potentially perform operations they should not be authorized to execute. This represents a privilege escalation scenario where users can gain access to database operations beyond their intended scope, effectively bypassing the application's security model.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data exposure to encompass potential system compromise and data integrity violations. An attacker with access to the AutoFORM PDM Archive system can manipulate the underlying database, potentially leading to data corruption, unauthorized access to sensitive product data, or complete database compromise. The vulnerability affects the entire database management system within the AutoFORM PDM Archive environment, making it a critical concern for organizations relying on this platform for product data management. Organizations using versions prior to 7.1 face significant risk of unauthorized database operations that could result in intellectual property exposure, compliance violations, or operational disruption. The impact is particularly severe in environments where PDM systems contain sensitive product information, design data, or proprietary manufacturing processes that require strict access controls.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability primarily focus on upgrading to AutoFORM PDM Archive version 7.1 or later, which includes proper authorization controls for web service operations. Organizations should also implement network segmentation to limit access to the web service endpoints, ensuring that only authorized systems can communicate with the PDM Archive service. Additional protective measures include implementing strong authentication controls, monitoring web service access logs for suspicious activities, and conducting regular security assessments of the PDM environment. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to privilege escalation and defense evasion techniques, as attackers can leverage it to gain unauthorized access to database operations and potentially hide their activities through legitimate service interactions. The vulnerability also aligns with the technique of service enumeration and access control bypass, making it a significant concern for organizations implementing security controls that rely on proper authorization mechanisms. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls and access control lists to further protect against unauthorized SOAP request processing and ensure that only properly authenticated and authorized requests are processed by the web service components.