CVE-2013-6311 in Marketing Platform
Summary
by MITRE
SQL injection vulnerability in IBM Marketing Platform 9.1 before FP2 allows remote authenticated users to execute arbitrary SQL commands via unspecified vectors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/08/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2013-6311 represents a critical SQL injection flaw within IBM Marketing Platform version 9.1 prior to Fix Pack 2. This security weakness exposes the platform to remote authenticated attackers who can leverage it to execute arbitrary SQL commands against the underlying database system. The vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation mechanisms that fail to properly sanitize user-supplied data before incorporating it into SQL query structures. The unspecified vectors suggest that the flaw may manifest across multiple entry points within the application's interface, potentially including web forms, API endpoints, or administrative panels where user input is processed and subsequently used in database operations. This type of vulnerability falls under the common weakness enumeration CWE-89 which specifically addresses SQL injection vulnerabilities, representing one of the most prevalent and dangerous classes of web application security flaws. The attack surface is particularly concerning given that the vulnerability requires only authenticated access, meaning that an attacker with legitimate user credentials can exploit the flaw without requiring additional privileges or complex reconnaissance.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft or manipulation to potentially compromise the entire database infrastructure supporting the marketing platform. Successful exploitation could enable attackers to extract sensitive customer data, modify campaign configurations, access administrative functions, or even escalate privileges within the database environment. The IBM Marketing Platform typically handles extensive customer relationship management data including personal identifiable information, purchase histories, and marketing preferences which makes the potential data breach particularly severe. Organizations utilizing this platform may face significant regulatory compliance violations under frameworks such as gdpr, pci dss, and hipaa if customer data is compromised through such an attack. The vulnerability's presence in the pre-FP2 version indicates that IBM had identified and addressed this issue in subsequent releases, highlighting the importance of maintaining up-to-date security patches in enterprise software environments.
Security professionals should recognize this vulnerability as part of the broader ATT&CK framework's command and control tactics, specifically under the technique of data extraction and privilege escalation. The vulnerability aligns with the attack pattern where authenticated users leverage legitimate application functionality to bypass security controls. Organizations should implement comprehensive input validation measures including parameterized queries, stored procedures, and proper sanitization routines to prevent similar issues. The remediation strategy must include immediate deployment of IBM's Fix Pack 2 or equivalent security patches, along with enhanced monitoring of database access patterns and user activity logs. Additionally, implementing web application firewalls and database activity monitoring solutions can provide defense-in-depth measures to detect and prevent exploitation attempts. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical importance of regular security assessments and patch management processes, particularly for enterprise applications handling sensitive customer data. Organizations should also consider implementing principle of least privilege access controls and regular security training for administrators to minimize the potential impact of such vulnerabilities.