CVE-2013-0140 in ePolicy Orchestrator
Summary
by MITRE
SQL injection vulnerability in the Agent-Handler component in McAfee ePolicy Orchestrator (ePO) before 4.5.7 and 4.6.x before 4.6.6 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via a crafted request over the Agent-Server communication channel.
VulDB is the best source for vulnerability data and more expert information about this specific topic.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/22/2024
The CVE-2013-0140 vulnerability represents a critical SQL injection flaw within the Agent-Handler component of McAfee ePolicy Orchestrator (ePO) software. This vulnerability affects versions prior to 4.5.7 and 4.6.x prior to 4.6.6, creating a significant security risk for organizations relying on this endpoint protection management platform. The vulnerability specifically targets the communication channel between agents and the server, allowing remote attackers to inject malicious SQL commands through crafted requests that traverse the Agent-Server communication pathway.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when the Agent-Handler component fails to properly sanitize user input received from endpoint agents during communication sessions. This insufficient input validation creates an entry point for attackers to manipulate the underlying database queries executed by the ePO server. When an attacker crafts a malicious request containing SQL injection payloads, the vulnerable component processes this input without adequate sanitization, enabling the execution of arbitrary SQL commands against the database backend. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it operates over the legitimate Agent-Server communication channel, making it difficult to detect and distinguish from normal operational traffic.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft, as it provides attackers with the capability to escalate privileges and potentially gain full control over the ePO server infrastructure. Successful exploitation could result in complete database compromise, allowing attackers to extract sensitive configuration data, modify security policies, or even establish persistent backdoors within the endpoint protection environment. Organizations using vulnerable ePO versions face significant risk of unauthorized access to their security infrastructure, potentially compromising the integrity of their entire endpoint protection ecosystem. The vulnerability's remote nature means that attackers do not require local system access or credentials to exploit the flaw, making it particularly attractive for widespread attacks.
Organizations should immediately implement mitigation strategies including upgrading to patched versions of ePO 4.5.7 or 4.6.6, depending on their current version. Network segmentation and monitoring of Agent-Server communication channels can help detect anomalous SQL injection attempts, though these measures provide only partial protection. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-89 which specifically addresses SQL injection flaws, and maps to ATT&CK technique T1071.004 for application layer protocol manipulation. Additionally, implementing web application firewalls and database activity monitoring solutions can provide enhanced detection capabilities for such attacks. Regular security assessments and input validation reviews should be conducted to prevent similar vulnerabilities in other components of the security infrastructure.