CVE-2012-5760 in Netezza
Summary
by MITRE
SQL injection vulnerability in the WebAdmin application 6.0.5, 6.0.8, and 7.0 before P2 in IBM Netezza allows remote authenticated users to execute arbitrary SQL commands via unspecified vectors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/25/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2012-5760 represents a critical SQL injection flaw within IBM Netezza's WebAdmin application across multiple versions including 6.0.5, 6.0.8, and 7.0 before patch level P2. This vulnerability resides in the web-based administrative interface that governs the Netezza data warehouse appliance, creating a significant security risk for organizations relying on this platform for data processing and analytics. The flaw specifically affects the authentication and authorization mechanisms of the WebAdmin application, which serves as the primary interface for system administrators to manage database configurations, user permissions, and system settings.
The technical implementation of this SQL injection vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and parameter sanitization within the WebAdmin application's query processing functions. Attackers exploiting this weakness can manipulate database queries through authenticated sessions, leveraging the application's failure to properly escape or validate user-supplied input before incorporating it into SQL command structures. This allows malicious actors with valid credentials to escalate privileges and execute arbitrary SQL commands against the underlying database system, potentially gaining access to sensitive data, modifying database structures, or even compromising the entire Netezza appliance infrastructure. The vulnerability's classification under CWE-89 indicates it falls squarely within the category of improper neutralization of special elements used in an SQL command, a fundamental weakness in database security architecture.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends far beyond simple data compromise, as it enables authenticated attackers to perform privilege escalation attacks and potentially achieve complete system compromise. Organizations utilizing IBM Netezza systems face significant risks including unauthorized data access, data manipulation, and potential denial of service conditions that could disrupt critical business operations. The vulnerability's remote exploitation capability means attackers do not require physical access to the system, and the authenticated nature of the attack implies that even a compromised user account could be leveraged to achieve more severe consequences. This vulnerability directly impacts the CIA triad, compromising confidentiality through unauthorized data access, integrity through potential data modification, and availability through possible system disruption.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including applying the official IBM security patches released for versions 6.0.5, 6.0.8, and 7.0 prior to P2, along with implementing network segmentation and access controls to limit exposure of the WebAdmin interface. Additional protective measures include monitoring for suspicious authentication patterns, implementing web application firewalls, and conducting thorough security assessments of all database interfaces. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1078 for valid accounts and T1046 for network service scanning, indicating that attackers may attempt to identify and exploit this weakness as part of broader reconnaissance activities. Security teams should also consider implementing database activity monitoring solutions to detect anomalous SQL command execution patterns that could indicate exploitation attempts.