CVE-2016-1562 in Energy Insight
Summary
by MITRE
The REST API in the DTE Energy Insight application before 1.7.8 for Android allows remote authenticated users to obtain unspecified customer information via a SQL expression in the filter parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/30/2024
The CVE-2016-1562 vulnerability represents a critical security flaw in the DTE Energy Insight mobile application's REST API implementation that affects versions prior to 1.7.8 on Android platforms. This vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and sanitization mechanisms within the API's filter parameter processing, creating a pathway for authenticated attackers to execute unauthorized data access operations. The vulnerability specifically targets the application's backend database interaction logic where user-provided filter parameters are directly incorporated into SQL queries without proper escaping or parameterization, exposing the system to SQL injection attacks.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through the manipulation of the filter parameter within the REST API calls, allowing authenticated users to craft malicious SQL expressions that can extract sensitive customer information from the underlying database. This represents a classic SQL injection vulnerability where the application fails to properly sanitize user inputs before incorporating them into database queries, potentially enabling attackers to access customer data, account details, or other sensitive information that should remain protected. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it requires only authentication to the application, meaning that any legitimate user with valid credentials could potentially exploit this flaw to access data beyond their intended scope.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability creates significant risk for both the organization and its customers. The exposure of unspecified customer information could include personal identifiers, account details, usage patterns, or other sensitive data that would be valuable to adversaries. The vulnerability's classification under CWE-89 indicates it falls within the well-known category of SQL injection flaws that have been extensively documented in cybersecurity literature and represent one of the most common and dangerous web application vulnerabilities. This type of vulnerability can lead to regulatory compliance violations, reputational damage, financial losses, and potential legal consequences for the organization responsible for the affected system.
The attack vector for this vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1213.002, which involves data from information repositories, specifically targeting database systems through application layer vulnerabilities. Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including patching the application to version 1.7.8 or later, implementing proper input validation and parameterization of all database queries, and establishing robust authentication and authorization controls. Additional defensive measures should include monitoring for anomalous API usage patterns, implementing database query auditing, and conducting regular security assessments of web application interfaces. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper input validation and the principle of least privilege in application security design, emphasizing that even authenticated users should be restricted from accessing data beyond their legitimate business requirements.