CVE-2013-1613 in Security Information Manager
Summary
by MITRE
SQL injection vulnerability in the management console (aka Java console) on the Symantec Security Information Manager (SSIM) appliance 4.7.x and 4.8.x before 4.8.1 allows remote authenticated users to execute arbitrary SQL commands via unspecified vectors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/12/2018
The CVE-2013-1613 vulnerability represents a critical sql injection flaw within the management console of Symantec Security Information Manager appliances running versions 4.7.x and 4.8.x prior to 4.8.1. This vulnerability resides in what is commonly referred to as the java console interface, which serves as the primary administrative gateway for configuring and managing the security information management appliance. The flaw specifically affects the authentication and authorization mechanisms of the management console, creating a pathway for malicious actors who have already gained legitimate access to the system to escalate their privileges and execute unauthorized database operations.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and sanitization within the java console's backend processing components. Attackers who have authenticated access to the management interface can manipulate input parameters through various unspecified vectors that ultimately bypass the intended security controls. This allows them to inject malicious sql commands directly into the database layer, potentially gaining access to sensitive configuration data, user credentials, and other critical system information. The vulnerability is classified under the common weakness enumeration cwe-89 which specifically addresses sql injection flaws where untrusted data is incorporated into sql commands without proper sanitization.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft, as it enables attackers to execute arbitrary sql commands that could result in complete system compromise. An authenticated attacker could potentially modify or delete critical system configurations, escalate privileges to administrative levels, or even gain access to underlying database schemas containing sensitive information. This represents a significant risk to organizations relying on ssim appliances for security information and event management, as the vulnerability could allow attackers to undermine the integrity of their security monitoring infrastructure. The attack surface is particularly concerning given that the vulnerability affects multiple versions of the software, indicating a persistent flaw in the application's input handling mechanisms.
Organizations affected by this vulnerability should prioritize immediate remediation through the installation of the patched version 4.8.1 or later releases provided by symantec. The mitigation strategy should include comprehensive network segmentation to limit access to the management console, implementation of strict access controls, and regular monitoring of authentication logs for suspicious activities. Security teams should also consider implementing web application firewalls to detect and block sql injection attempts, while ensuring that all administrative access occurs through secure channels with proper encryption. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of input validation and proper parameterized queries in preventing sql injection attacks, aligning with recommended practices from the open web application security project and the center for internet security. Organizations should conduct thorough security assessments of their ssim deployments to identify any potential exploitation attempts and ensure complete remediation of the vulnerability across all affected systems.