CVE-2013-0684 in Wonderware Information Server
Summary
by MITRE
SQL injection vulnerability in Invensys Wonderware Information Server (WIS) 4.0 SP1SP1, 4.5- Portal, and 5.0- Portal allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via unspecified vectors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/02/2017
The CVE-2013-0684 vulnerability represents a critical sql injection flaw within Invensys Wonderware Information Server products across multiple versions including 4.0 SP1SP1, 4.5 Portal, and 5.0 Portal. This vulnerability resides in the information server component that handles data processing and retrieval operations, making it a prime target for malicious actors seeking unauthorized access to industrial control systems. The vulnerability allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary sql commands through unspecified input vectors, potentially compromising the entire information server infrastructure.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and sanitization within the sql query construction processes of the wonderware information server. Attackers can exploit this weakness by crafting malicious sql payloads that bypass normal security controls and execute unauthorized database operations. The unspecified vectors suggest that the vulnerability may manifest through multiple entry points including web interfaces, api endpoints, or data processing modules that handle user-supplied data. This broad attack surface increases the exploitability and potential impact of the vulnerability.
The operational impact of CVE-2013-0684 extends beyond simple data theft or modification, as it can enable attackers to gain full administrative control over the information server. This compromise can lead to unauthorized access to critical industrial data, disruption of operational processes, and potential cascading effects throughout connected systems. The vulnerability directly violates multiple security principles including input validation, privilege separation, and defense in depth. From an industrial control systems perspective, this vulnerability represents a serious threat to operational technology security and can potentially affect critical infrastructure operations.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including network segmentation, firewall rules to restrict access to information server components, and comprehensive input validation measures. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-89 which specifically addresses sql injection flaws, and maps to ATT&CK technique T1190 for exploiting vulnerabilities in software. Regular security updates and patches should be implemented as soon as vendor remediation is available, while also conducting thorough vulnerability assessments of all industrial control system components. Additional protective measures include database activity monitoring, intrusion detection systems, and regular security audits to identify and remediate similar vulnerabilities in industrial automation environments.