CVE-2015-5452 in XCS
Summary
by MITRE
SQL injection vulnerability in Watchguard XCS 9.2 and 10.0 before build 150522 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via the sid cookie, as demonstrated by a request to borderpost/imp/compose.php3.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/01/2024
The CVE-2015-5452 vulnerability represents a critical sql injection flaw in Watchguard XCS 9.2 and 10.0 versions prior to build 150522. This vulnerability specifically affects the borderpost/imp/compose.php3 endpoint and exploits the sid cookie parameter to allow remote attackers to execute arbitrary sql commands. The flaw stems from inadequate input validation and sanitization within the application's handling of session identifiers, creating a direct pathway for malicious sql code execution.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the improper handling of user-supplied data through the sid cookie parameter which is directly incorporated into sql query constructions without adequate sanitization or parameterization. This design flaw allows attackers to inject malicious sql payloads that bypass normal authentication mechanisms and directly manipulate the underlying database. The vulnerability operates at the application layer and requires no authentication to exploit, making it particularly dangerous as it can be leveraged by remote unauthenticated attackers.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability presents a severe risk to organizations utilizing affected Watchguard XCS versions. Attackers can potentially access, modify, or delete sensitive data stored in the database, including user credentials, system configurations, and potentially confidential communications. The vulnerability's remote exploitability means that attackers can target systems from outside the network perimeter, significantly expanding the attack surface and reducing the effectiveness of traditional network-based security controls. Additionally, the ability to execute arbitrary sql commands provides attackers with extensive privileges that could lead to complete system compromise and data exfiltration.
The vulnerability aligns with CWE-89 which categorizes sql injection as a weakness where untrusted data is incorporated into sql commands without proper sanitization. This flaw also maps to ATT&CK technique T1190 which describes the use of remote services for exploitation, and T1071.004 which covers application layer protocol usage for command and control. Organizations should immediately implement mitigations including patching to the latest available builds, implementing web application firewalls to filter malicious sql payloads, and conducting thorough security assessments of the affected systems. Network segmentation and monitoring of sql query patterns can help detect exploitation attempts, while regular security updates and vulnerability management processes should be strengthened to prevent similar issues in the future.