CVE-2014-5071 in s350i
Summary
by MITRE
SQL injection vulnerability in the checkPassword function in Symmetricom s350i 2.70.15 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via vectors involving a username.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/20/2019
The CVE-2014-5071 vulnerability represents a critical SQL injection flaw discovered in Symmetricom s350i version 2.70.15, specifically within the checkPassword function. This vulnerability exposes the device to remote exploitation where attackers can manipulate the authentication mechanism by crafting malicious SQL commands through the username parameter. The flaw resides in how the system processes user input during password validation, creating a pathway for unauthorized database access and potential system compromise. The vulnerability is particularly concerning as it allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands without requiring authentication, making it a severe threat to network security infrastructure.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and sanitization within the checkPassword function. When a user attempts to authenticate, the system fails to properly escape or filter special characters in the username field, enabling attackers to inject malicious SQL syntax. This weakness directly maps to CWE-89, which categorizes SQL injection vulnerabilities as a result of insufficient input validation and improper data handling in database interactions. The vulnerability allows attackers to manipulate the underlying database queries through parameter manipulation, potentially leading to data extraction, modification, or deletion of sensitive information stored within the device's database.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple database compromise, as it can enable attackers to gain deeper system access and potentially escalate privileges within the Symmetricom s350i environment. Remote execution of arbitrary SQL commands opens possibilities for attackers to extract configuration data, user credentials, or other sensitive information from the device's internal database. The vulnerability affects the integrity and confidentiality of the system, as unauthorized parties can manipulate the authentication process to gain unauthorized access to network time synchronization services. This compromise can disrupt critical infrastructure operations where precise time synchronization is essential, potentially leading to cascading failures in network services that depend on accurate timekeeping.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2014-5071 should prioritize immediate patch deployment from Symmetricom to address the SQL injection vulnerability in the checkPassword function. Organizations should implement network segmentation to limit access to affected devices and deploy intrusion detection systems to monitor for suspicious database query patterns. Input validation measures including parameterized queries and proper SQL escaping should be implemented to prevent future occurrences of similar vulnerabilities. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under T1190 - Exploit Public-Facing Application, emphasizing the need for regular security assessments and vulnerability management processes. Additionally, network administrators should conduct thorough security audits of all time synchronization devices and ensure that access controls are properly configured to limit administrative privileges and reduce the attack surface for remote exploitation attempts.