CVE-2012-5520 in OpenVAS Manager
Summary
by MITRE
The send_to_sourcefire function in manage_sql.c in OpenVAS Manager 3.x before 3.0.4 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary commands via the (1) IP address or (2) port number field in an OMP request.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/27/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2012-5520 represents a critical command injection flaw within the OpenVAS Manager 3.x software ecosystem, specifically affecting versions prior to 3.0.4. This vulnerability resides in the manage_sql.c file within the send_to_sourcefire function, which processes OMP (OpenVAS Management Protocol) requests. The flaw manifests when remote attackers manipulate the IP address or port number fields within these requests, creating a pathway for arbitrary code execution on the targeted system. The OpenVAS Manager serves as a central component for managing OpenVAS vulnerability scanning operations, making this vulnerability particularly dangerous as it could enable attackers to gain unauthorized control over the entire vulnerability assessment infrastructure.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and sanitization within the send_to_sourcefire function. When processing OMP requests containing IP address or port number parameters, the system fails to properly validate or escape user-supplied data before incorporating it into system commands or database queries. This lack of proper sanitization creates a classic command injection vector where attacker-controlled input can be interpreted and executed as system commands. The vulnerability specifically affects the way the system handles network parameters during the management of vulnerability scanning operations, allowing an attacker to inject malicious commands that execute with the privileges of the OpenVAS Manager process.
The operational impact of CVE-2012-5520 extends beyond simple remote code execution, as it fundamentally compromises the integrity and security of the entire OpenVAS infrastructure. An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability could gain complete control over the vulnerability scanner, potentially allowing them to modify scan results, disable security monitoring, or even use the compromised system as a pivot point for attacking other network segments. This vulnerability directly violates the principle of least privilege and could enable attackers to escalate their access within the network security infrastructure. The implications are particularly severe in enterprise environments where OpenVAS Manager serves as a critical component for continuous vulnerability assessment and security monitoring operations.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate patching of OpenVAS Manager to version 3.0.4 or later, which contains the necessary input validation fixes. Organizations should also implement network segmentation and access controls to limit exposure of the OpenVAS Manager to untrusted networks. Additional protective measures include monitoring network traffic for suspicious OMP requests and implementing strict input validation at multiple layers of the application architecture. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-77 and CWE-89 categories related to command injection and SQL injection respectively, and represents a technique that would be categorized under ATT&CK tactic TA0002 (Execution) and technique T1059.001 (Command and Scripting Interpreter). Security teams should also consider implementing intrusion detection systems specifically configured to detect malformed OMP requests that could indicate exploitation attempts.