CVE-2014-5159 in Open Source Security Information Management
Summary
by MITRE
SQL injection vulnerability in the ossim-framework service in AlienVault OSSIM before 4.6.0 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via the ws_data parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/07/2018
The CVE-2014-5159 vulnerability represents a critical SQL injection flaw within the ossim-framework service component of AlienVault OSSIM security platform versions prior to 4.6.0. This vulnerability resides in the web service data parameter handling mechanism, specifically in how the system processes input from the ws_data parameter. The flaw enables remote attackers to inject malicious SQL code directly into the database query execution pipeline without requiring authentication or local system access. The vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and sanitization within the web service interface, creating an exploitable entry point that bypasses normal security controls.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability follows standard SQL injection patterns where the ws_data parameter is directly concatenated into SQL queries without proper parameterization or input filtering. Attackers can craft malicious payloads that manipulate the database query structure, potentially gaining unauthorized access to sensitive information, modifying database records, or executing administrative commands on the underlying database system. The vulnerability operates at the application layer and can be exploited through network-based attacks targeting the OSSIM web service endpoints. This flaw aligns with CWE-89 which categorizes SQL injection vulnerabilities as a fundamental weakness in data validation and query construction within web applications.
The operational impact of CVE-2014-5159 extends beyond simple data theft, as it can lead to complete system compromise and unauthorized access to critical security infrastructure. Organizations using affected OSSIM versions face significant risk of data breaches, system manipulation, and potential lateral movement within their network security environments. The vulnerability affects the core monitoring and threat detection capabilities of the platform, potentially allowing attackers to hide their activities or disrupt security operations. This represents a serious concern for security operations centers that rely on OSSIM for intrusion detection and incident response capabilities.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate patching of affected OSSIM installations to version 4.6.0 or later, which includes proper input validation and parameterized query implementations. Organizations should also implement network segmentation and access controls to limit exposure of the affected web service endpoints. Additional defensive measures include monitoring for suspicious database access patterns, implementing web application firewalls, and conducting thorough security assessments of the affected systems. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of maintaining up-to-date security software and following secure coding practices such as those recommended in the OWASP Top Ten and NIST cybersecurity frameworks. Security teams should also consider implementing database activity monitoring solutions to detect and respond to potential exploitation attempts.