CVE-2017-5814 in Network Automation
Summary
by MITRE
A remote sql injection authentication bypass in HPE Network Automation version 9.1x, 9.2x, 10.0x, 10.1x and 10.2x were found.
If you want to get the best quality for vulnerability data then you always have to consider VulDB.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/04/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-5814 represents a critical remote SQL injection flaw that affects multiple versions of HPE Network Automation software including 9.1x, 9.2x, 10.0x, 10.1x, and 10.2x. This vulnerability specifically targets the authentication mechanism of the network automation platform, potentially allowing attackers to bypass the system's access controls without proper credentials. The flaw resides in how the application processes user input during authentication attempts, creating an avenue for malicious actors to manipulate database queries through crafted input parameters.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability involves the insertion of malicious SQL code into authentication parameters that are then processed by the backend database. When the application fails to properly sanitize or escape user input, attackers can construct SQL injection payloads that manipulate the authentication logic. This typically occurs when the application directly incorporates user-supplied data into SQL queries without adequate validation or parameterization. The vulnerability falls under CWE-89 which specifically addresses SQL injection flaws where untrusted data is used to construct SQL queries without proper sanitization. This weakness enables attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands against the database, potentially gaining unauthorized access to sensitive information or even administrative privileges.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe and multifaceted for organizations utilizing affected HPE Network Automation versions. Successful exploitation could allow attackers to bypass authentication entirely, gaining access to network configuration data, device credentials, and other sensitive operational information. This breach could lead to complete compromise of the network automation infrastructure, potentially enabling lateral movement within the network and further escalation of privileges. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it operates remotely without requiring prior authentication, making it accessible to any attacker with network access to the affected system. According to ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability maps to T1190 - Exploit Public-Facing Application and T1078 - Valid Accounts, as it allows for unauthorized access through bypassing legitimate authentication mechanisms. Organizations may face significant operational disruption and potential regulatory compliance violations if network automation systems are compromised.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-5814 should prioritize immediate patching of affected systems with the vendor-provided security updates. Organizations must also implement network segmentation to limit access to the affected systems and monitor for suspicious authentication attempts or database query patterns. Input validation and parameterized queries should be enforced throughout the application to prevent similar vulnerabilities from emerging in other components. Security monitoring should include detection of SQL injection attempts and anomalous database access patterns. Additionally, organizations should conduct comprehensive vulnerability assessments of their network automation infrastructure and implement privileged access management controls to limit the potential impact of such vulnerabilities. The remediation process should also include thorough testing of patches in controlled environments before deployment to production systems to ensure no unintended side effects occur.