CVE-2017-14356 in ArcSight ESM
Summary
by MITRE
An SQL Injection vulnerability in HP ArcSight ESM and HP ArcSight ESM Express, in any 6.x version prior to 6.9.1c Patch 4 or 6.11.0 Patch 1. This vulnerability could be exploited remotely to allow SQL injection.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/21/2021
The CVE-2017-14356 vulnerability represents a critical SQL injection flaw discovered in Hewlett Packard's ArcSight Enterprise Security Manager and ArcSight ESM Express platforms. This vulnerability affects all versions in the 6.x series prior to specific patch releases, namely 6.9.1c Patch 4 and 6.11.0 Patch 1, making it a significant concern for organizations utilizing these security information and event management systems. The flaw resides in the web application layer of these platforms, where user input is improperly sanitized before being incorporated into database queries, creating an exploitable pathway for malicious actors to manipulate backend database operations.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and parameter sanitization within the ArcSight ESM web interface components. When legitimate users interact with the system through web-based administrative functions or reporting features, their input data is concatenated directly into SQL query strings without proper escaping or parameterization. This design flaw allows attackers to inject malicious SQL code through carefully crafted input fields, potentially enabling them to execute arbitrary database commands, extract sensitive information, or modify system data. The vulnerability is classified as a CWE-89 SQL Injection weakness under the Common Weakness Enumeration framework, specifically manifesting as an unvalidated input vulnerability that permits unauthorized database access.
The operational impact of CVE-2017-14356 extends beyond simple data compromise, as it provides attackers with potential access to critical security event data, user credentials, and system configuration information within the ArcSight environment. Attackers exploiting this vulnerability could gain read access to sensitive log data, potentially exposing confidential information about network activities, security incidents, and system vulnerabilities. The remote exploitation capability means that attackers do not require physical access to the network or system, making this vulnerability particularly dangerous as it can be leveraged from external networks. This aligns with ATT&CK technique T1071.004 for Application Layer Protocol: DNS and T1046 for Network Service Scanning, as attackers would likely use these methods to identify and exploit the vulnerable system. Organizations using these platforms face potential data breaches, compliance violations, and operational disruption that could compromise their entire security monitoring infrastructure.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-14356 primarily involve applying the vendor-supplied patches immediately, specifically the 6.9.1c Patch 4 for version 6.9.1 or 6.11.0 Patch 1 for version 6.11.0. Organizations should also implement network segmentation to limit access to ArcSight ESM systems, enforce strict access controls, and monitor for unusual database activity patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. Additionally, implementing web application firewalls and input validation controls can provide additional defense-in-depth measures. Security teams should conduct thorough vulnerability assessments of their ArcSight environments and review system logs for any signs of exploitation attempts. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of timely patch management and proper input validation in security applications, as it represents a fundamental flaw in how user input is handled within the platform's web interface components.