CVE-2017-3899 in Advanced Threat Defense
Summary
by MITRE
SQL injection vulnerability in Intel Security Advanced Threat Defense (ATD) Linux 3.6.0 and earlier allows remote authenticated users to obtain product information via a crafted HTTP request parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/06/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-3899 represents a critical SQL injection flaw within Intel Security Advanced Threat Defense (ATD) Linux version 3.6.0 and earlier deployments. This vulnerability specifically affects the web-based management interface of the ATD appliance, which is designed to provide advanced threat detection and analysis capabilities for enterprise networks. The flaw resides in how the system processes HTTP request parameters, creating an avenue for malicious actors to manipulate database queries through crafted input sequences. The vulnerability impacts organizations relying on this threat defense solution for network security monitoring and incident response activities.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and parameter sanitization within the ATD Linux web interface components. When authenticated users submit HTTP requests containing specially crafted parameters, the system fails to properly escape or filter these inputs before incorporating them into SQL query structures. This allows attackers to inject malicious SQL code that can manipulate the underlying database operations. The vulnerability is classified as a classic SQL injection attack vector where the attacker can leverage the authenticated session to execute arbitrary database commands. According to CWE classification, this maps to CWE-89: Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an SQL Command, which is a fundamental weakness in database query construction. The attack requires only authenticated access to the web interface, making it particularly dangerous as it can be exploited by insiders or compromised legitimate users.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it provides attackers with the capability to extract sensitive product information and potentially gain deeper insights into the ATD system configuration. This information can be used to develop more sophisticated attacks targeting other system components or to identify potential privilege escalation opportunities. The vulnerability affects organizations that depend on ATD for threat intelligence and security monitoring, potentially compromising their security posture by exposing internal system details that could be leveraged in subsequent attacks. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to T1083: File and Directory Discovery and T1005: Data from Local System, as it enables adversaries to gather system information and potentially access database contents. The authenticated nature of the attack means that organizations must consider insider threat risks and implement proper access controls alongside network-level protections.
Organizations should immediately implement mitigations including upgrading to Intel Security ATD Linux versions 3.6.1 or later, which contain patches addressing this vulnerability. Network segmentation and access control measures should be strengthened to limit exposure of the ATD management interface to only authorized personnel. Regular security assessments of the ATD appliance configuration and monitoring of HTTP request patterns can help detect anomalous behavior that may indicate exploitation attempts. Additionally, organizations should implement web application firewalls and input validation controls to provide additional layers of protection against similar injection attacks. The vulnerability underscores the importance of maintaining up-to-date security solutions and implementing defense-in-depth strategies to protect critical security infrastructure components. Security teams should also conduct regular vulnerability assessments and penetration testing to identify similar weaknesses in other network security tools and appliances.