CVE-2013-5321 in Open Source Security Information Management
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple SQL injection vulnerabilities in AlienVault Open Source Security Information Management (OSSIM) 4.1 allow remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via the (1) sensor parameter in a Query action to forensics/base_qry_main.php; the (2) tcp_flags[] or (3) tcp_port[0][4] parameter to forensics/base_stat_alerts.php; the (4) ip_addr[1][8] or (5) port_type parameter to forensics/base_stat_ports.php; or the (6) sortby or (7) rvalue parameter in a search action to vulnmeter/index.php.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/01/2025
The CVE-2013-5321 vulnerability represents a critical SQL injection flaw affecting AlienVault OSSIM version 4.1, a widely deployed Security Information and Event Management (SIEM) solution used by organizations for threat detection and security monitoring. This vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation within multiple web interfaces of the OSSIM platform, specifically targeting parameters in four distinct PHP scripts that handle forensic data queries and vulnerability assessments. The flaw allows remote attackers to inject malicious SQL commands through various parameter inputs, potentially compromising the entire security monitoring infrastructure.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability manifests through multiple attack vectors that exploit improper parameter handling in the affected PHP applications. The first vector targets the sensor parameter within the forensics/base_qry_main.php script, while the second and third vectors utilize tcp_flags[] and tcp_port[0][4] parameters in forensics/base_stat_alerts.php. Additional attack surfaces include ip_addr[1][8] and port_type parameters in forensics/base_stat_ports.php, as well as sortby and rvalue parameters in vulnmeter/index.php. These parameters are directly incorporated into SQL queries without proper sanitization or parameterization, creating exploitable injection points that can be leveraged by malicious actors to manipulate database operations.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft, as successful exploitation could enable attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands with the privileges of the database user account. This presents a severe risk to organizations relying on OSSIM for security monitoring, as attackers could potentially access sensitive security event data, modify existing records, or even escalate privileges to gain deeper system access. The vulnerability's remote nature means that attackers do not require physical access to the system, making it particularly dangerous for organizations with internet-facing security infrastructure. According to CWE classification, this vulnerability maps to CWE-89 SQL Injection, a fundamental weakness that has consistently ranked among the top security risks in the OWASP Top Ten and is categorized under the ATT&CK technique T1071.004 Application Layer Protocol: Web Protocols, specifically targeting web application vulnerabilities.
Organizations affected by this vulnerability should immediately implement mitigations including applying the vendor-provided patches, implementing input validation controls, and deploying web application firewalls to detect and block malicious SQL injection attempts. Network segmentation and privilege reduction measures should be enforced to limit potential damage from successful exploitation. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper input validation and parameterized queries in web applications, aligning with industry best practices established in standards such as NIST SP 800-163 and ISO/IEC 27001. Regular security assessments and penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other applications within the organization's attack surface, as SQL injection remains one of the most prevalent and dangerous web application security threats.