CVE-2015-5049 in OpenPages GRC Platform
Summary
by MITRE
SQL injection vulnerability in the API in IBM OpenPages GRC Platform 7.0 before 7.0.0.4 IF3 and 7.1 before 7.1.0.1 IF6 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 CVE-2015-5049 vulnerability represents a critical SQL injection flaw within the IBM OpenPages GRC Platform API, affecting versions prior to specific interim fixes. This vulnerability resides in the platform's application programming interface which serves as a communication channel for various administrative and operational functions. The affected versions include IBM OpenPages GRC Platform 7.0 before 7.0.0.4 IF3 and 7.1 before 7.1.0.1 IF6, indicating a widespread impact across multiple release streams of the platform. The vulnerability allows remote authenticated users to execute arbitrary SQL commands, fundamentally compromising the database layer of the application.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and sanitization within the API endpoints. When authenticated users submit requests to the platform's API, the system fails to properly sanitize user-supplied data before incorporating it into SQL queries. This weakness creates an environment where maliciously crafted inputs can manipulate the intended query execution flow, enabling attackers to inject their own SQL commands. The unspecified vectors suggest that multiple API endpoints or input parameters may be susceptible to this manipulation, making the attack surface broader than initially apparent. This type of vulnerability directly maps to CWE-89, which specifically addresses SQL injection flaws in software applications.
From an operational perspective, the impact of CVE-2015-5049 extends far beyond simple data theft. An attacker with authenticated access can potentially extract sensitive information from the database, modify or delete critical records, and even escalate privileges within the system. The authenticated requirement means that attackers must first gain valid credentials, but this is often achievable through various social engineering, credential theft, or exploitation techniques. The vulnerability affects the core integrity of the governance, risk management, and compliance platform, potentially exposing confidential business information, regulatory data, and sensitive operational details that organizations rely on for compliance purposes. Organizations using IBM OpenPages GRC Platform face significant risk of data breaches and regulatory violations if this vulnerability remains unpatched.
The remediation strategy for this vulnerability centers on applying the official IBM patches and interim fixes provided for the affected versions. Organizations should immediately upgrade to IBM OpenPages GRC Platform 7.0.0.4 IF3 or 7.1.0.1 IF6, which contain the necessary code modifications to address the input validation issues. Additionally, implementing proper input sanitization measures at the application level, including parameterized queries and proper escaping of user inputs, can serve as additional protective measures. Network segmentation and monitoring of API traffic can help detect anomalous behavior that might indicate exploitation attempts. Security teams should also conduct thorough code reviews of custom integrations and third-party components that interact with the platform's API to ensure no similar vulnerabilities exist. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under T1071.004 for Application Layer Protocol: DNS and T1046 for Network Service Scanning, as attackers may attempt to identify vulnerable endpoints and exploit them through network-based attacks. Organizations should maintain strict patch management processes and conduct regular vulnerability assessments to identify and remediate similar issues before they can be exploited by malicious actors.