CVE-2013-5015 in Endpoint Protection Manager
Summary
by MITRE
SQL injection vulnerability in the management console in Symantec Endpoint Protection Manager (SEPM) 11.0 before 11.0.7405.1424 and 12.1 before 12.1.4023.4080, and Symantec Protection Center Small Business Edition 12.x before 12.1.4023.4080, allows remote authenticated users to execute arbitrary SQL commands via unspecified vectors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/09/2024
The CVE-2013-5015 vulnerability represents a critical SQL injection flaw within Symantec Endpoint Protection Manager's management console, affecting versions prior to specific patch releases. This vulnerability exists in both SEPM 11.0 and 12.1 product lines, as well as the Symantec Protection Center Small Business Edition, creating a widespread attack surface across enterprise security infrastructure. The flaw allows authenticated remote attackers to manipulate database queries through unspecified input vectors, potentially compromising the integrity and confidentiality of security management operations.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation within the management console's database interaction components. When authenticated users submit data through the console interface, the application fails to properly sanitize or escape user-supplied parameters before incorporating them into SQL queries. This improper handling creates opportunities for attackers to inject malicious SQL code that executes with the privileges of the database user account. The vulnerability manifests as a classic SQL injection attack vector that can be exploited by authenticated users who have access to the management console, making it particularly dangerous within enterprise environments where administrative access is already granted.
The operational impact of CVE-2013-5015 extends beyond simple data compromise, as successful exploitation can enable attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands with elevated privileges. This capability allows adversaries to read, modify, or delete sensitive configuration data, potentially leading to complete system compromise. The vulnerability affects the core management functionality of Symantec's security platform, meaning that attackers could manipulate security policies, access protected data, or even escalate privileges within the database environment. Organizations relying on SEPM for endpoint protection face significant risk as this vulnerability undermines the very security infrastructure designed to protect their networks.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2013-5015 should prioritize immediate patch deployment to the affected versions, with Symantec releasing updates that address the input validation deficiencies. Organizations must ensure that all management console components are updated to versions 11.0.7405.1424 or later for SEPM 11.0, and 12.1.4023.4080 or later for SEPM 12.1 and Symantec Protection Center Small Business Edition. Additionally, network segmentation and access controls should be implemented to limit exposure of the management console to trusted administrative users only. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-89, which specifically addresses SQL injection flaws, and represents a critical threat in the context of the MITRE ATT&CK framework under the privilege escalation and defense evasion tactics, as attackers can leverage this vulnerability to maintain persistent access and avoid detection within security monitoring systems.
This vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper input validation and parameterized queries in security-sensitive applications. The flaw highlights the need for comprehensive security testing, including penetration testing and code review processes, to identify and remediate similar issues in enterprise security management platforms. Organizations should implement robust monitoring for suspicious database activities and maintain up-to-date security patches as part of their overall vulnerability management strategy to prevent exploitation of such critical flaws.