CVE-2018-15441 in Prime License Manager
Summary
by MITRE
A vulnerability in the web framework code of Cisco Prime License Manager (PLM) could allow an unauthenticated, remote attacker to execute arbitrary SQL queries. The vulnerability is due to a lack of proper validation of user-supplied input in SQL queries. An attacker could exploit this vulnerability by sending crafted HTTP POST requests that contain malicious SQL statements to an affected application. A successful exploit could allow the attacker to modify and delete arbitrary data in the PLM database or gain shell access with the privileges of the postgres user.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/12/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-15441 represents a critical SQL injection flaw within Cisco Prime License Manager's web framework that exposes organizations to significant remote attack vectors. This weakness resides in the application's failure to properly validate and sanitize user-supplied input before incorporating it into SQL queries, creating an exploitable pathway for malicious actors to manipulate the underlying database infrastructure. The vulnerability specifically affects the PLM application's handling of HTTP POST requests, where crafted payloads can be transmitted to execute unauthorized database operations.
This vulnerability falls under the CWE-89 category of SQL Injection, which is classified as a critical weakness in application security that allows attackers to interfere with the queries that an application makes to its database. The attack vector is particularly dangerous because it requires no authentication credentials, making it accessible to any remote attacker who can reach the affected system. The flaw enables an unauthenticated threat actor to construct malicious SQL statements that bypass normal application security controls and directly interact with the database layer.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data manipulation to encompass potential system compromise and complete database access. Successful exploitation allows attackers to modify or delete arbitrary data within the PLM database, which could result in license information corruption, unauthorized access to licensing records, or complete disruption of license management operations. More critically, the vulnerability could enable attackers to gain shell access with postgres user privileges, providing them with elevated system access that could facilitate further lateral movement within the network infrastructure. This privilege escalation capability significantly amplifies the potential damage from a single exploitation event.
Organizations affected by this vulnerability should implement immediate mitigations including network segmentation to restrict access to the PLM application, deployment of web application firewalls to detect and block malicious SQL injection attempts, and application-level input validation controls to sanitize all user-supplied data. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1071.004 for application layer protocol manipulation and T1046 for network service scanning, indicating that threat actors may use reconnaissance techniques to identify and exploit such weaknesses. Cisco has released patches and updates to address this vulnerability, and organizations should prioritize applying these security updates while also conducting thorough security assessments of their license management infrastructure to identify potential additional attack vectors that may exist within the broader network ecosystem.