CVE-2012-4949 in ArcGIS
Summary
by MITRE
SQL injection vulnerability in ESRI ArcGIS 10.1 allows remote authenticated users to execute arbitrary SQL commands via the where parameter to a query URI for a REST service.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/07/2024
The CVE-2012-4949 vulnerability represents a critical SQL injection flaw in ESRI ArcGIS 10.1 that undermines the security posture of geographic information systems relying on this platform. This vulnerability specifically affects the REST service implementation within ArcGIS 10.1, where the application fails to properly sanitize user input passed through the where parameter in query URIs. The flaw exists in the backend database interaction layer where user-supplied parameters are directly incorporated into SQL queries without adequate validation or escaping mechanisms. Attackers exploiting this vulnerability can manipulate the SQL execution flow by crafting malicious input that alters the intended database query structure, potentially leading to unauthorized data access, modification, or deletion. The vulnerability impacts organizations using ArcGIS 10.1 for web mapping services, as the REST API endpoints exposed through the platform provide direct access to underlying geospatial databases through query interfaces that accept user input.
The technical exploitation of CVE-2012-4949 occurs when authenticated users submit malicious input through the where parameter of REST service queries, which then gets processed by the backend database engine. This vulnerability maps directly to CWE-89, which categorizes SQL injection as a weakness that allows attackers to manipulate database queries through untrusted input. The flaw demonstrates poor input validation practices where the application assumes all input from authenticated users is trustworthy, failing to implement proper parameterized queries or input sanitization. The REST service architecture in ArcGIS 10.1 processes the where parameter without adequate escaping of special SQL characters, enabling attackers to inject additional SQL commands that execute with the privileges of the database user account used by the ArcGIS service. This type of attack falls under the ATT&CK technique T1071.004 for application layer protocols, specifically targeting web services through REST API endpoints. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it requires only authenticated access to the system, meaning that legitimate users with appropriate credentials can exploit this flaw to gain unauthorized database access.
The operational impact of CVE-2012-4949 extends beyond simple data theft to encompass complete database compromise and potential system-wide escalation. Organizations using ArcGIS 10.1 may experience unauthorized access to sensitive geospatial data, including mapping information, location-based services data, and potentially confidential organizational information stored in the underlying databases. The vulnerability could enable attackers to extract sensitive information such as user credentials, business intelligence, or geographic data that could be used for competitive advantage or malicious purposes. Additionally, the attacker could potentially modify or delete database records, corrupting the integrity of the geospatial datasets and potentially disrupting business operations that depend on accurate mapping information. The impact is particularly severe for organizations in sectors such as government, utilities, transportation, and emergency services where accurate geographic data is critical for operations. The vulnerability also creates opportunities for attackers to escalate privileges within the database environment, potentially gaining access to additional systems or data that may not be directly exposed through the ArcGIS service but are connected to the same database infrastructure. The attack surface is further expanded because the REST service endpoints are typically exposed to external networks, making the vulnerability exploitable from remote locations.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations to address CVE-2012-4949, including applying the vendor-provided security patches and updates released for ArcGIS 10.1. The most effective immediate solution involves implementing proper input validation and parameterized queries for all REST service endpoints that process user input. Security teams should also consider network segmentation and access controls to limit exposure of the REST services to only trusted networks and users. The implementation of web application firewalls and input filtering mechanisms can provide additional layers of protection against SQL injection attacks. Organizations should conduct comprehensive security assessments of their ArcGIS implementations to identify all potentially affected services and endpoints, ensuring that all REST API interfaces are properly secured. Regular monitoring and logging of database activities should be implemented to detect potential exploitation attempts, and access controls should be reviewed to ensure that only necessary users have access to the affected services. The vulnerability highlights the importance of following secure coding practices and implementing defense-in-depth strategies for database access controls, particularly for systems handling sensitive geographic and spatial data. Organizations should also consider implementing database activity monitoring solutions to detect anomalous query patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts. Long-term remediation includes migrating to newer versions of ArcGIS that have addressed this vulnerability and implementing comprehensive security testing procedures for all web services before deployment. The incident underscores the need for regular security updates and patch management processes, as well as continuous vulnerability assessment of enterprise GIS systems that handle sensitive operational data.