CVE-2013-4017 in Maximo Asset Management
Summary
by MITRE
SQL injection vulnerability in IBM Maximo Asset Management 7.1 before 7.1.1.12 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via unspecified vectors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/25/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2013-4017 represents a critical SQL injection flaw within IBM Maximo Asset Management version 7.1 prior to 7.1.1.12. This weakness resides in the application's handling of user input within database query operations, creating an avenue for malicious actors to manipulate backend database systems through crafted SQL commands. The vulnerability affects organizations utilizing IBM Maximo's asset management platform, which is widely deployed across enterprise environments for tracking and managing critical infrastructure assets. The unspecified vectors suggest that multiple entry points within the application may be susceptible to exploitation, making the vulnerability particularly concerning for security assessments and risk management activities.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and sanitization mechanisms within the Maximo application's database interaction layer. When user-supplied data is directly incorporated into SQL query strings without proper parameterization or escaping, attackers can inject malicious SQL code that executes with the privileges of the database user. This flaw aligns with CWE-89, which specifically addresses SQL injection vulnerabilities where untrusted data is incorporated into SQL commands without proper sanitization. The vulnerability's remote exploitation capability means that attackers do not require local system access or credentials to leverage the weakness, significantly expanding the attack surface and potential impact scope.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft or corruption, as successful exploitation could enable attackers to gain unauthorized access to sensitive enterprise asset data, modify critical database records, or even escalate privileges within the database environment. Organizations relying on Maximo for asset management may face severe consequences including intellectual property theft, operational disruption, regulatory compliance violations, and potential financial losses. The vulnerability's presence in a widely-used enterprise asset management system means that the attack surface is typically extensive, encompassing multiple business units and departments that depend on accurate asset tracking and management. This risk is compounded by the fact that database administrators often grant broad permissions to application users, potentially allowing full database access upon successful exploitation.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including applying the vendor-provided security patches and updates released for IBM Maximo 7.1.1.12 and subsequent versions. Network segmentation and firewall rules should be implemented to limit access to the Maximo application and database servers, particularly restricting direct database connections from external networks. Input validation mechanisms should be strengthened at multiple layers including application code, web application firewalls, and database level protections. The principle of least privilege should be enforced by ensuring that database accounts used by Maximo applications have minimal necessary permissions. Additionally, organizations should conduct comprehensive vulnerability assessments and penetration testing to identify any potential exploitation attempts and monitor database logs for suspicious activity patterns that may indicate attempted exploitation of this vulnerability. This remediation approach aligns with ATT&CK technique T1071.004 for application layer attacks and emphasizes defensive measures against command injection vulnerabilities in enterprise applications.