CVE-2015-5023 in Curam Social Program Management
Summary
by MITRE
SQL injection vulnerability in IBM Curam Social Program Management 6.1 before 6.1.1 allows remote authenticated users to execute arbitrary SQL commands via unspecified vectors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/26/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2015-5023 represents a critical SQL injection flaw within IBM Curam Social Program Management version 6.1 prior to 6.1.1. This enterprise-level social program management system serves organizations in delivering social services and managing client relationships, making it a prime target for attackers seeking to compromise sensitive data. The vulnerability specifically affects the authentication and authorization mechanisms that govern access to the system's database layer, creating a pathway for malicious actors to execute unauthorized SQL commands. The issue stems from insufficient input validation and sanitization within the application's data processing routines, allowing attackers to manipulate database queries through crafted inputs that bypass normal security controls. This type of vulnerability falls under the Common Weakness Enumeration category CWE-89, which specifically addresses SQL injection weaknesses in software applications. The attack surface is particularly concerning given that the vulnerability requires only authenticated access, meaning that an attacker who has already obtained valid credentials can exploit this flaw to escalate their privileges and gain deeper access to the underlying database infrastructure.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft, as successful exploitation could enable attackers to modify, delete, or extract sensitive information from the system's database. IBM Curam typically handles confidential social service data including personal identifying information, client records, and program eligibility details, making the potential damage substantial. Attackers could leverage this vulnerability to manipulate program eligibility determinations, alter client records, or access unauthorized portions of the system. The remote execution capability means that attackers do not need physical access to the network, allowing them to exploit the vulnerability from any location with valid credentials. This scenario aligns with ATT&CK technique T1071.004 for application layer protocol usage and T1046 for network service scanning, as attackers would likely first identify the vulnerable system and then execute their malicious payloads. The vulnerability's persistence in the software for an extended period suggests potential gaps in the security testing and code review processes, highlighting the importance of continuous vulnerability assessment in enterprise applications.
Organizations utilizing IBM Curam Social Program Management must implement immediate mitigation strategies to address this vulnerability. The primary recommendation involves applying the vendor-supplied patch or upgrade to version 6.1.1 or later, which contains the necessary fixes to prevent SQL injection attacks. Additionally, implementing robust input validation and parameterized queries within the application code would provide defense-in-depth measures against similar vulnerabilities. Network segmentation and access controls should be reinforced to limit the potential impact of credential compromise, while monitoring systems should be enhanced to detect anomalous database access patterns. The implementation of web application firewalls and database activity monitoring solutions can provide additional layers of protection. Security teams should conduct thorough penetration testing and vulnerability assessments to identify any other potential SQL injection vulnerabilities within the system, as this type of flaw often indicates broader security weaknesses. The vulnerability also underscores the importance of maintaining current security patches and following secure coding practices as outlined in the OWASP Top Ten and NIST Cybersecurity Framework guidelines, which emphasize the critical need for proper input validation and output encoding to prevent injection attacks.