CVE-2015-6004 in Whatsup Gold
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple SQL injection vulnerabilities in IPSwitch WhatsUp Gold before 16.4 allow remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via (1) the UniqueID (aka sUniqueID) parameter to WrFreeFormText.asp in the Reports component or (2) the Find Device parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/08/2024
The vulnerability CVE-2015-6004 represents a critical SQL injection flaw in IPSwitch WhatsUp Gold versions prior to 16.4, specifically affecting the Reports component. This vulnerability manifests through two distinct attack vectors that collectively undermine the security posture of the network monitoring solution. The first vector targets the WrFreeFormText.asp page within the Reports component, where the UniqueID parameter known as sUniqueID fails to properly sanitize user input before incorporating it into SQL queries. The second vector exploits the Find Device functionality, demonstrating how multiple entry points within the application can serve as conduits for malicious SQL command execution.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and parameter sanitization within the web application layer. When users submit data through either the sUniqueID parameter or the Find Device interface, the application directly incorporates these values into database queries without proper escaping or parameterization mechanisms. This design flaw allows attackers to craft malicious input strings that can manipulate the intended SQL query structure, potentially enabling them to extract sensitive data, modify database records, or even execute administrative commands on the underlying database system. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-89 which specifically addresses SQL injection weaknesses, and represents a classic example of improper input handling that violates fundamental security principles.
The operational impact of CVE-2015-6004 extends beyond simple data compromise, as it provides attackers with significant privileges within the network monitoring infrastructure. Successful exploitation could enable unauthorized access to network device configurations, user credentials, and sensitive network topology information that WhatsUp Gold typically manages. Attackers could potentially escalate privileges to execute arbitrary code on the database server, leading to full system compromise. The remote nature of these attacks means that adversaries do not require physical access to the network or direct system interaction, making the vulnerability particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where network monitoring systems are often centrally managed and contain privileged access credentials.
Organizations utilizing affected versions of IPSwitch WhatsUp Gold should prioritize immediate remediation through the vendor-provided security patches that address the specific SQL injection vulnerabilities in both the Reports component and Find Device functionality. The mitigation strategy should include comprehensive input validation and parameterized queries to prevent similar issues in future implementations. Security teams should also implement network monitoring to detect potential exploitation attempts and establish proper access controls to limit the impact of any successful attacks. This vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of input sanitization and follows ATT&CK technique T1071.004 for application layer protocol manipulation, highlighting the need for robust web application security measures in network monitoring solutions.