CVE-2014-9229 in Endpoint Protection
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple SQL injection vulnerabilities in interface PHP scripts in the Manager component in Symantec Endpoint Protection (SEP) before 12.1.6 allow remote authenticated users to execute arbitrary SQL commands by leveraging the Limited Administrator role.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/21/2022
The vulnerability CVE-2014-9229 represents a critical SQL injection flaw discovered in Symantec Endpoint Protection Manager component prior to version 12.1.6. This vulnerability specifically affects the interface PHP scripts within the Manager component, creating a pathway for remote attackers who have already established authentication credentials to escalate their privileges and execute arbitrary SQL commands. The flaw is particularly concerning because it requires only a limited administrator role to exploit, meaning that attackers with restricted access can potentially gain full database control. This vulnerability falls under CWE-89 which categorizes SQL injection as a fundamental weakness in application security where improper input validation allows malicious SQL code to be executed. The attack vector leverages the existing authenticated session, making it more difficult to detect and prevent compared to initial access methods.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input sanitization within the PHP scripts that handle user interface interactions in the Symantec Endpoint Protection Manager. When authenticated users with limited administrator privileges submit certain parameters through the web interface, the application fails to properly escape or validate these inputs before incorporating them into SQL queries. This allows attackers to inject malicious SQL syntax that gets executed against the underlying database, potentially leading to data exfiltration, modification of critical system configurations, or complete database compromise. The vulnerability specifically targets the Manager component's interface scripts, suggesting that the issue lies in how user-supplied data is processed rather than in core database functions. This aligns with ATT&CK technique T1078 which covers valid accounts and T1046 which covers network service scanning, as attackers can leverage existing credentials to perform database reconnaissance and exploitation.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends far beyond simple data theft, as it provides attackers with the ability to manipulate the core configuration data that governs endpoint protection policies. An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability can modify security policies, disable protection mechanisms, and potentially create backdoors within the endpoint protection infrastructure. The database compromise could also lead to credential theft, as Symantec Endpoint Protection often stores sensitive authentication information and security configurations within its database. Organizations using affected versions of SEP may face significant operational disruption, as the vulnerability allows for persistent access to critical security infrastructure. The limited administrator role requirement means that this vulnerability could be exploited by insiders or compromised users with restricted privileges, making it particularly dangerous for organizations that do not properly monitor and restrict administrative access. The vulnerability's presence in the Manager component suggests that it could affect multiple aspects of endpoint protection management, including policy enforcement, threat intelligence updates, and reporting mechanisms.
Organizations should immediately implement the vendor-provided patch for Symantec Endpoint Protection version 12.1.6 or later to remediate this vulnerability. The patch addresses the input validation issues in the PHP scripts by implementing proper parameter binding and input sanitization techniques that prevent malicious SQL code from being executed. Network segmentation should be implemented to isolate the Manager component from less trusted network segments, reducing the attack surface for potential exploitation. Monitoring should be enhanced to detect unusual database access patterns and SQL query execution that may indicate exploitation attempts. Security teams should review and enforce strict access control policies, ensuring that only necessary personnel have administrator privileges and that all administrative activities are logged and monitored. Additionally, implementing web application firewalls and database activity monitoring solutions can provide additional layers of protection against exploitation attempts. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of input validation and proper database query construction in preventing SQL injection attacks, aligning with security best practices outlined in OWASP Top Ten and NIST cybersecurity frameworks. Regular security assessments and penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other components of the security infrastructure.