CVE-2015-7903 in Mango Automation
Summary
by MITRE
SQL injection vulnerability in Infinite Automation Mango Automation 2.5.x and 2.6.x before 2.6.0 build 430 allows remote authenticated users to execute arbitrary SQL commands via unspecified vectors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/20/2024
The CVE-2015-7903 vulnerability represents a critical SQL injection flaw within Infinite Automation Mango Automation platforms version 2.5.x and 2.6.x prior to build 430. This vulnerability specifically affects industrial automation systems that rely on the Mango platform for monitoring and control operations. The flaw exists in the authentication layer where properly authenticated users can exploit improperly sanitized input parameters to inject malicious SQL commands into the backend database. Such vulnerabilities are particularly dangerous in industrial control systems where the integrity of database operations directly impacts operational safety and system reliability. The vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and parameter sanitization mechanisms within the application's database interaction components, creating an attack surface that allows malicious actors with valid credentials to escalate their privileges and potentially gain unauthorized access to sensitive operational data.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through the manipulation of input fields that are processed by the application's database layer without proper sanitization. Attackers with authenticated access can craft malicious SQL payloads that bypass normal input validation checks and execute arbitrary database commands. This flaw falls under the CWE-89 category of SQL Injection, specifically classified as an authenticated SQL injection vulnerability since it requires valid user credentials to exploit. The vulnerability exists in the application's handling of user-supplied data within database query construction processes, where dynamic SQL queries are built using concatenation or direct input inclusion without proper parameterization or escaping mechanisms. The attack vector typically involves manipulation of form fields, API endpoints, or parameterized requests that ultimately feed into backend database operations, allowing attackers to extract, modify, or delete sensitive operational data.
The operational impact of CVE-2015-7903 extends beyond simple data compromise to potentially disrupt critical industrial processes. In industrial automation environments, database integrity is paramount for maintaining accurate operational data, configuration settings, and historical records that inform decision-making processes. An attacker exploiting this vulnerability could gain access to sensitive operational parameters, modify system configurations, or even manipulate historical data to obscure malicious activities. The vulnerability creates a pathway for privilege escalation attacks where authenticated users can leverage their legitimate access to perform unauthorized database operations that could lead to system instability, data corruption, or complete system compromise. This type of vulnerability directly impacts the CIA triad of information security by potentially compromising confidentiality, integrity, and availability of industrial control system data. The attack surface is particularly concerning in environments where the Mango platform controls critical infrastructure monitoring, as successful exploitation could lead to operational disruptions or safety hazards.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2015-7903 should focus on immediate patch deployment and implementation of robust input validation mechanisms. Organizations should prioritize updating to Mango Automation 2.6.0 build 430 or later versions that contain the necessary security fixes addressing this vulnerability. Additionally, implementing proper database parameterization techniques, input sanitization, and output encoding can significantly reduce the risk of SQL injection exploitation. Network segmentation and access control measures should be enforced to limit the potential impact of credential compromise. Security monitoring should include detection of unusual database query patterns and unauthorized access attempts. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of implementing defense-in-depth strategies and regular security assessments of industrial control systems. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls and database activity monitoring solutions to detect and prevent exploitation attempts. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability aligns with techniques related to credential access and privilege escalation, specifically targeting the database layer to achieve unauthorized information access and system compromise. Regular security training for system administrators and developers is essential to prevent similar vulnerabilities in future implementations.