CVE-2014-4313 in Epicor Procurement
Summary
by MITRE
SQL injection vulnerability in Epicor Procurement before 7.4 SP2 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via the User field.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/30/2022
The CVE-2014-4313 vulnerability represents a critical sql injection flaw in epicor procurement software versions prior to 7.4 service pack 2. This vulnerability resides within the application's handling of user input in the user field parameter, creating an exploitable entry point for remote attackers to execute arbitrary sql commands against the underlying database. The flaw stems from inadequate input validation and sanitization mechanisms that fail to properly escape or filter user-supplied data before incorporating it into sql query constructions. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to manipulate database operations, potentially gaining unauthorized access to sensitive procurement data, modifying critical business information, or even escalating privileges within the database environment.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability follows standard sql injection attack patterns where malicious input in the user field parameter can alter the intended sql query execution flow. When the application processes user input without proper sanitization, attackers can inject sql payload strings that bypass authentication checks or manipulate query logic to extract, modify, or delete database records. This particular vulnerability falls under the common weakness enumeration category of cwe-89 sql injection, which is classified as a high severity issue in the owasp top ten web application security risks. The attack surface is particularly concerning as it allows remote code execution capabilities, enabling adversaries to perform unauthorized database operations without requiring legitimate authentication credentials.
The operational impact of CVE-2014-4313 extends beyond simple data theft to encompass complete database compromise and potential business disruption. Organizations utilizing epicor procurement systems before the 7.4 sp2 release face significant risks including unauthorized access to procurement records, supplier information, pricing data, and financial transactions. The vulnerability can be exploited from external networks, making it particularly dangerous for organizations with exposed web applications. Attackers may leverage this flaw to establish persistent access, modify procurement workflows, or even cause denial of service conditions by corrupting database structures. The impact is amplified when considering that procurement systems often contain sensitive business data and may interface with other critical enterprise applications through database connections.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2014-4313 primarily focus on immediate patching and implementation of proper input validation controls. Organizations should prioritize upgrading to epicor procurement 7.4 service pack 2 or later versions where the vulnerability has been addressed through proper sql injection prevention measures. Additionally, implementing web application firewalls and input sanitization mechanisms can provide defense in depth. The remediation process should include comprehensive code reviews to ensure proper parameterized queries are used throughout the application, eliminating direct sql string concatenation patterns that contribute to injection vulnerabilities. Security teams should also implement database activity monitoring to detect unusual sql query patterns and establish proper access controls limiting database privileges to application users. This vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of maintaining up-to-date software versions and following secure coding practices as outlined in the mitre attack framework where such vulnerabilities often serve as initial access vectors for more sophisticated attacks.