CVE-2014-9612 in Netsweeper
Summary
by MITRE
SQL injection vulnerability in remotereporter/load_logfiles.php in Netsweeper before 3.1.10, 4.0.x before 4.0.9, and 4.1.x before 4.1.2 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via the server parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/27/2025
The CVE-2014-9612 vulnerability represents a critical sql injection flaw within the netsweeper web application's remotereporter module. This vulnerability specifically affects versions prior to 3.1.10 in the 3.1.x series, 4.0.9 in the 4.0.x series, and 4.1.2 in the 4.1.x series of the netsweeper software. The flaw exists in the load_logfiles.php script which processes user input through the server parameter without proper sanitization or validation, creating an exploitable entry point for malicious actors.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation practices within the remotereporter component of netsweeper. When the server parameter is passed to the load_logfiles.php script, the application fails to properly escape or sanitize the input before incorporating it into sql query construction. This allows attackers to inject malicious sql code that gets executed within the context of the database connection, potentially enabling full database compromise. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-89 which specifically addresses sql injection flaws where untrusted data is directly included in sql commands without proper escaping or parameterization.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents significant risk to organizations relying on netsweeper for web content filtering and monitoring. Remote attackers can exploit this flaw to execute arbitrary sql commands on the underlying database system, potentially gaining access to sensitive log data, user credentials, configuration information, or even escalating privileges within the database environment. The impact extends beyond simple data theft as attackers could modify or delete critical log records, compromising the integrity of the security monitoring infrastructure. According to ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability maps to T1190 - exploit public-facing application, representing a common attack vector targeting web application interfaces.
The exploitation of this vulnerability requires minimal technical expertise and can be accomplished through standard sql injection techniques. Attackers typically craft malicious payloads that manipulate the server parameter to inject sql commands, potentially using techniques such as union-based queries or error-based exploitation to extract database schema information and content. Organizations utilizing netsweeper in production environments face immediate risk as this vulnerability can be exploited remotely without authentication, making it particularly dangerous for perimeter security solutions. The vulnerability demonstrates poor input validation practices that violate fundamental security principles and represents a failure to implement proper parameterized queries or input sanitization mechanisms.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2014-9612 primarily involve upgrading to the patched versions of netsweeper software as specified in the vendor advisory. Organizations should implement immediate patch management procedures to upgrade to versions 3.1.10, 4.0.9, or 4.1.2 depending on their current installation. Additionally, network segmentation and firewall rules can be implemented to restrict access to the remotereporter module until patching is complete. Database access controls should be reviewed to ensure least privilege principles are applied, limiting the potential impact of successful exploitation. Input validation should be strengthened throughout the application to prevent similar vulnerabilities from occurring in other components, implementing proper parameterized queries and escaping mechanisms. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical importance of input validation in web applications and the necessity of following secure coding practices to prevent sql injection attacks that can compromise entire database systems.