CVE-2012-3820 in Campaign Enterprise
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple SQL injection vulnerabilities in Campaign11.exe in Arial Software Campaign Enterprise before 11.0.551 allow remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via the (1) SerialNumber field to activate.asp or (2) UID field to User-Edit.asp.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/05/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2012-3820 represents a critical security flaw in Arial Software Campaign Enterprise version 11.0.550 and earlier, specifically affecting the Campaign11.exe component. This vulnerability manifests as multiple SQL injection weaknesses that can be exploited by remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands against the underlying database system. The flaw exists within the web application's input validation mechanisms, where user-supplied data is directly incorporated into SQL queries without proper sanitization or parameterization. The vulnerability impacts two distinct attack vectors: the SerialNumber field in the activate.asp page and the UID field in the User-Edit.asp page, both of which are accessible through web-based interfaces.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from improper input handling within the Campaign Enterprise application's authentication and user management modules. When users submit data through the affected web forms, the application processes these inputs by concatenating them directly into SQL command strings without appropriate escaping or parameter binding. This design flaw creates an environment where malicious actors can inject specially crafted SQL payloads that bypass normal authentication mechanisms and gain unauthorized access to the database backend. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-89, which specifically addresses SQL injection weaknesses in software applications, and represents a classic example of how insufficient input validation can lead to complete database compromise. Attackers exploiting this vulnerability can potentially extract sensitive information, modify user credentials, manipulate database records, or even escalate privileges within the application's security model.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft, as it provides attackers with the capability to fundamentally compromise the integrity and availability of the Campaign Enterprise system. Remote attackers who successfully exploit these SQL injection points can execute commands that may allow them to create new administrative accounts, modify existing user permissions, access confidential campaign data, or even gain access to the underlying database server itself. This vulnerability particularly affects organizations using Arial Software Campaign Enterprise for marketing automation and customer relationship management, where the exposure of sensitive customer data, campaign metrics, and user credentials could result in significant financial and reputational damage. The attack surface is further expanded by the fact that these vulnerabilities are accessible through standard web browser interfaces, making exploitation relatively straightforward for attackers with basic technical knowledge. The vulnerability also maps to several ATT&CK techniques including T1190 for exploit public-facing application and T1078 for valid accounts, as successful exploitation would likely result in unauthorized access to legitimate user accounts and system resources.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2012-3820 should prioritize immediate patching of the affected Arial Software Campaign Enterprise version to 11.0.551 or later, which contains the necessary security fixes. Organizations should also implement additional defensive measures including input validation at the application level, parameterized queries for all database interactions, and web application firewalls to monitor and filter suspicious SQL injection patterns. Network segmentation and access controls should be reviewed to limit exposure of the vulnerable application to untrusted networks. Regular security assessments and penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other applications within the organization's infrastructure. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of implementing secure coding practices and regular security updates, as the issue could have been prevented through proper input sanitization and parameterized database queries. Organizations should also consider implementing database activity monitoring to detect and respond to suspicious SQL command executions that may indicate exploitation attempts.