CVE-2013-7262 in MapServer
Summary
by MITRE
SQL injection vulnerability in the msPostGISLayerSetTimeFilter function in mappostgis.c in MapServer before 6.4.1, when a WMS-Time service is used, allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via a crafted string in a PostGIS TIME filter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/22/2024
The CVE-2013-7262 vulnerability represents a critical SQL injection flaw within MapServer's PostGIS integration component, specifically affecting versions prior to 6.4.1. This vulnerability resides in the msPostGISLayerSetTimeFilter function located in the mappostgis.c source file, which is part of the broader MapServer geospatial web mapping platform. The flaw becomes exploitable when MapServer is configured to serve WMS-Time services through PostGIS data sources, creating a pathway for remote attackers to manipulate database queries through crafted time filter parameters.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and sanitization within the time filter processing logic. When a WMS-Time request is made with a specially crafted TIME parameter containing malicious SQL content, the msPostGISLayerSetTimeFilter function fails to properly escape or parameterize the input before incorporating it into database queries. This allows attackers to inject arbitrary SQL commands that execute with the privileges of the database user account under which MapServer operates. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it leverages the legitimate WMS-Time functionality, making it difficult to detect through standard network monitoring tools.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft, as successful exploitation can lead to complete database compromise, data manipulation, and potential lateral movement within the network infrastructure. Attackers can execute commands such as SELECT, INSERT, UPDATE, DELETE, and even administrative functions depending on the database permissions. The vulnerability affects organizations using MapServer for web mapping services who have enabled PostGIS integration, particularly those serving time-series geospatial data through WMS-Time interfaces. This creates risk for government agencies, environmental monitoring organizations, and any entity relying on MapServer for critical geospatial information systems where unauthorized database access could result in significant operational disruption.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2013-7262 primarily focus on immediate remediation through MapServer version updates to 6.4.1 or later, which contain proper input validation and sanitization mechanisms. Organizations should also implement network-level protections such as web application firewalls that can detect and block suspicious SQL injection patterns in WMS-Time requests. Additional defensive measures include restricting database user permissions to the minimum required for MapServer operations, implementing proper input filtering at the application layer, and conducting regular security assessments of geospatial web services. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-89, which categorizes SQL injection flaws, and represents a typical example of how web mapping services can become attack vectors when proper input validation is omitted. From an ATT&CK perspective, this vulnerability maps to T1190 (Exploit Public-Facing Application) and T1071.004 (Application Layer Protocol: DNS) as attackers may use WMS-Time interfaces to probe and exploit the system, while T1046 (Network Service Scanning) could be employed to identify vulnerable MapServer installations. Organizations should also consider implementing comprehensive monitoring solutions that can detect anomalous WMS-Time query patterns and establish incident response procedures specifically tailored for geospatial web service vulnerabilities.