CVE-2016-2351 in File Transfer Appliance
Summary
by MITRE
SQL injection vulnerability in home/seos/courier/security_key2.api on the Accellion File Transfer Appliance (FTA) before FTA_9_12_40 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via the client_id parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/31/2024
The CVE-2016-2351 vulnerability represents a critical SQL injection flaw discovered in the Accellion File Transfer Appliance FTA product line, specifically affecting versions prior to FTA_9_12_40. This vulnerability resides within the home/seos/courier/security_key2.api component of the system, which serves as a critical interface for handling security key operations within the file transfer infrastructure. The vulnerability's exposure occurs through the client_id parameter, which is processed without adequate input validation or sanitization, creating a pathway for malicious actors to manipulate database queries through crafted input sequences.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability follows a classic SQL injection attack pattern where an attacker can manipulate the client_id parameter to inject malicious SQL code into the database query execution flow. This flaw allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands against the underlying database, potentially leading to complete database compromise, data exfiltration, and unauthorized access to sensitive information stored within the appliance's database. The vulnerability's remote nature means that attackers do not require physical access to the system or authentication credentials to exploit the flaw, making it particularly dangerous in networked environments.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability poses severe risks to organizations relying on the Accellion FTA for secure file transfers, as it could enable attackers to extract confidential data, modify database records, or even escalate privileges within the system. The compromised database might contain sensitive information such as user credentials, file transfer logs, configuration data, and potentially encrypted keys used for secure communications. This vulnerability directly impacts the integrity and confidentiality of the file transfer operations, undermining the security assurances that organizations expect from enterprise-grade file transfer solutions.
The vulnerability aligns with CWE-89, which specifically addresses SQL injection flaws in software applications, and demonstrates characteristics consistent with attack patterns documented in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under the technique of "Querying Data" within the Credential Access and Command and Control domains. Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including applying the vendor-provided patch for FTA_9_12_40, implementing input validation controls, and deploying web application firewalls to detect and prevent malicious SQL injection attempts. Additionally, network segmentation and access controls should be reinforced to limit the potential impact of such vulnerabilities, while regular security assessments should be conducted to identify similar flaws in other components of the file transfer infrastructure.