CVE-2016-2950 in BigFix Remote Control
Summary
by MITRE
SQL injection vulnerability in IBM BigFix Remote Control before 9.1.3 allows remote authenticated users to execute arbitrary SQL commands via unspecified vectors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/13/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-2950 represents a critical SQL injection flaw within IBM BigFix Remote Control software versions prior to 9.1.3. This vulnerability resides in the remote control functionality that enables administrators to manage and monitor endpoints across networks. The issue stems from inadequate input validation and sanitization mechanisms within the application's database interaction layers, creating an attack surface that malicious actors can exploit to manipulate underlying database operations.
The technical nature of this vulnerability places it firmly within the category of CWE-89 SQL Injection as defined by the Common Weakness Enumeration framework. Attackers with valid authentication credentials can leverage this weakness to craft malicious SQL payloads that bypass normal security controls and directly interface with the database backend. The unspecified vectors suggest that the vulnerability may manifest across multiple input points within the remote control interface, potentially including command parameters, user inputs, or configuration settings that are processed through database queries.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability creates a significant risk for organizations utilizing IBM BigFix Remote Control for endpoint management. Successful exploitation allows authenticated attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands, potentially leading to data exfiltration, data corruption, privilege escalation, or complete database compromise. The remote nature of the attack means that adversaries do not require physical access to systems, and the authenticated requirement reduces the attack surface complexity while still maintaining a dangerous threat profile. Organizations may face regulatory compliance violations, data breaches, and operational disruptions if this vulnerability is exploited.
The attack surface for CVE-2016-2950 aligns with ATT&CK technique T1071.004 Application Layer Protocol: DNS, though more specifically relates to database protocol manipulation within enterprise management tools. Security professionals should prioritize patching this vulnerability through the official IBM security advisory releases, as the vendor has provided remediation in version 9.1.3 and subsequent releases. Organizations should implement network segmentation to limit access to BigFix Remote Control systems, enforce strict access controls, and monitor database activity for unusual query patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts. Additionally, regular security assessments and penetration testing should validate the effectiveness of implemented controls against similar database injection vulnerabilities.