CVE-2018-0320 in Prime Collaboration Provisioning
Summary
by MITRE
A vulnerability in the web framework code of Cisco Prime Collaboration Provisioning (PCP) could allow an unauthenticated, remote attacker to execute arbitrary SQL queries. The vulnerability is due to a lack of proper validation on user-supplied input in SQL queries. An attacker could exploit this vulnerability by sending crafted URLs that contain malicious SQL statements to the affected application. This vulnerability affects Cisco Prime Collaboration Provisioning (PCP) Releases 12.1 and prior. Cisco Bug IDs: CSCvd61754.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/22/2023
The vulnerability described in CVE-2018-0320 represents a critical SQL injection flaw within Cisco Prime Collaboration Provisioning version 12.1 and earlier releases. This weakness resides in the web framework code of the application, specifically in how it processes user-supplied input within SQL query contexts. The vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation mechanisms that fail to properly sanitize or escape data before incorporating it into database queries. Attackers can exploit this by crafting malicious URLs containing specially formatted SQL commands that get executed on the backend database server. The flaw is particularly dangerous because it requires no authentication credentials to exploit, making it accessible to any remote attacker who can reach the vulnerable application. This type of vulnerability falls under CWE-89 which specifically addresses SQL injection weaknesses in software applications. The attack vector leverages the application's failure to implement proper parameterized queries or input sanitization techniques that would normally prevent malicious SQL code from being executed within the database context.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends far beyond simple data theft, as it provides attackers with complete control over the affected database operations. An unauthenticated remote attacker could potentially extract sensitive information including user credentials, system configurations, and other confidential data stored within the PCP database. The vulnerability could also enable attackers to modify or delete database records, potentially disrupting collaboration services or creating false entries that could compromise system integrity. Given that Cisco Prime Collaboration Provisioning is designed to manage enterprise communication systems, the exploitation of this vulnerability could lead to significant business disruption and compromise of critical communication infrastructure. The attack could be executed through simple HTTP requests containing malicious SQL payloads, making it particularly easy to exploit and difficult to detect in network traffic logs. This vulnerability directly aligns with ATT&CK technique T1071.004 which describes application layer protocol manipulation, specifically targeting database communication channels.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2018-0320 should prioritize immediate patching of affected systems with the vendor-provided security updates. Organizations must ensure all instances of Cisco Prime Collaboration Provisioning version 12.1 or earlier are upgraded to supported releases that contain proper input validation and sanitization mechanisms. Network administrators should implement additional security controls including web application firewalls that can detect and block malicious SQL injection attempts, though these should not be considered a substitute for proper patching. Access controls should be strengthened to limit exposure of the vulnerable application to untrusted networks, and regular security assessments should be conducted to identify other potential injection vulnerabilities within the broader infrastructure. The remediation process should also include thorough testing of the patched environment to ensure that legitimate functionality remains intact while the vulnerability is eliminated. Organizations should also consider implementing database activity monitoring solutions that can detect anomalous query patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. Additionally, the security team should review and update their incident response procedures to account for potential SQL injection attacks and establish clear protocols for rapid response to such security events.