CVE-2014-0763 in WebAccess
Summary
by MITRE
An attacker using SQL injection may use arguments to construct queries without proper sanitization. The DBVisitor.dll is exposed through SOAP interfaces, and the exposed functions are vulnerable to SOAP injection. This may allow unexpected SQL action and access to records in the table of the software database or execution of arbitrary code.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/10/2026
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2014-0763 represents a critical SQL injection flaw within the DBVisitor.dll component of Advantech WebAccess software versions prior to 7.2. This vulnerability exists within the web-based industrial automation platform that enables remote monitoring and control of industrial systems through web interfaces. The affected software serves as a bridge between industrial control systems and web-based management interfaces, making it a prime target for attackers seeking to compromise industrial environments. The vulnerability specifically manifests in the SOAP request processing functionality where user-supplied input is not properly sanitized before being incorporated into database queries, creating an avenue for malicious actors to inject arbitrary SQL commands directly into the backend database system.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through SOAP requests that are processed by unspecified functions within the DBVisitor.dll module. When these requests contain maliciously crafted input, the application fails to properly validate or escape the data before incorporating it into SQL query strings. This lack of input sanitization allows attackers to manipulate the database query execution flow and potentially execute unauthorized SQL commands with the privileges of the database user account. The vulnerability's impact extends beyond simple data theft as it can enable attackers to modify database contents, execute administrative commands, or even escalate their privileges within the system. The SOAP protocol implementation in this context does not adequately implement proper parameterized queries or input validation mechanisms, creating a direct pathway for SQL injection attacks.
From an operational standpoint, this vulnerability poses significant risks to industrial control systems that rely on Advantech WebAccess for monitoring and management. The remote execution capability means that attackers can exploit this vulnerability from outside the corporate network without requiring physical access to the industrial infrastructure. This characteristic makes the vulnerability particularly dangerous in operational technology environments where security boundaries may be less strictly enforced than in traditional enterprise networks. The potential impact includes unauthorized access to critical operational data, modification of control parameters that could affect industrial processes, and possible disruption of production operations. Organizations using this software may face regulatory compliance issues if their industrial systems are compromised, particularly in sectors governed by standards such as NIST SP 800-82 for industrial control systems security.
The vulnerability aligns with CWE-89 which specifically addresses SQL injection flaws in software applications where untrusted data is incorporated into SQL commands without proper sanitization. This weakness directly maps to the ATT&CK technique T1071.004 which covers application layer protocol manipulation, particularly focusing on SOAP protocol abuse for command execution. Organizations should implement comprehensive input validation and parameterized query execution to mitigate this risk, ensuring that all user-supplied data is properly escaped or parameterized before database interaction. The recommended remediation includes updating to Advantech WebAccess version 7.2 or later, which contains patches addressing the SQL injection vulnerabilities in the DBVisitor.dll component. Additionally, network segmentation and access controls should be implemented to limit exposure of the vulnerable web services, while monitoring solutions should be deployed to detect anomalous SOAP request patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts.