CVE-2014-4977 in SonicWall Scrutinizer
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple SQL injection vulnerabilities in Dell SonicWall Scrutinizer 11.0.1 allow remote authenticated users to execute arbitrary SQL commands via the (1) selectedUserGroup parameter in a create new user request to cgi-bin/admin.cgi or the (2) user_id parameter in the changeUnit function, (3) methodDetail parameter in the methodDetail function, or (4) xcNetworkDetail parameter in the xcNetworkDetail function in d4d/exporters.php.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/24/2024
The CVE-2014-4977 vulnerability represents a critical SQL injection flaw in Dell SonicWall Scrutinizer version 11.0.1, a network traffic analysis and monitoring solution widely deployed in enterprise environments. This vulnerability affects the web-based administrative interface of the system, creating a significant attack surface for malicious actors who can leverage authenticated access to execute arbitrary SQL commands. The flaw exists within multiple functions of the application's backend processing, specifically targeting parameters used in user management and network data export operations, making it particularly dangerous as it could enable full database compromise and unauthorized access to sensitive network monitoring data.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and sanitization within the application's CGI and PHP components. The affected parameters include selectedUserGroup in the create new user request to cgi-bin/admin.cgi, user_id in the changeUnit function, methodDetail in the methodDetail function, and xcNetworkDetail in the d4d/exporters.php file. These parameters are directly incorporated into SQL queries without proper parameterization or input filtering, allowing attackers to inject malicious SQL payloads that bypass authentication mechanisms and execute arbitrary database operations. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-89, which specifically addresses SQL injection flaws where untrusted data is used in SQL commands, and represents a classic case of insufficient input sanitization in web applications.
The operational impact of CVE-2014-4977 is severe for organizations relying on SonicWall Scrutinizer for network monitoring and security operations. Successful exploitation could result in complete database compromise, allowing attackers to extract sensitive network traffic data, user credentials, and system configuration information. The vulnerability enables privilege escalation through database manipulation, potentially allowing attackers to create administrative accounts, modify user permissions, and access confidential network monitoring data. Organizations using this system could face regulatory compliance violations, data breaches, and significant operational disruption as attackers could manipulate network traffic analysis reports and potentially hide malicious activities within the monitored network. The attack vector requires only authenticated access, making it particularly dangerous as it can be exploited by insiders or compromised legitimate users.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2014-4977 should prioritize immediate patch deployment from Dell, as this vulnerability was addressed in subsequent releases of the SonicWall Scrutinizer software. Organizations should implement network segmentation to limit access to the administrative interface, enforce strict access controls, and monitor for unusual authentication patterns or database query activities. The implementation of web application firewalls and input validation mechanisms can provide additional defense-in-depth layers. Security teams should conduct comprehensive vulnerability assessments of all network monitoring systems and establish monitoring procedures for detecting SQL injection attempts. According to ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability maps to T1071.004 for application layer protocol and T1046 for network service scanning, indicating the need for comprehensive network monitoring and intrusion detection system configuration to detect exploitation attempts. Organizations should also consider implementing database activity monitoring solutions to track and alert on suspicious SQL command executions, particularly focusing on privilege escalation and data extraction activities that would result from successful exploitation of this vulnerability.