CVE-2018-6493 in Network Automation
Summary
by MITRE
SQL Injection in HP Network Operations Management Ultimate, version 2017.07, 2017.11, 2018.02 and in Network Automation, version 10.00, 10.10, 10.11, 10.20, 10.30, 10.40, 10.50. This vulnerability could be remotely exploited to allow Remote SQL Injection.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/13/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-6493 represents a critical SQL injection flaw affecting HP Network Operations Management Ultimate and HP Network Automation products. This security weakness resides in the web-based administrative interfaces of these network management solutions, which are widely deployed in enterprise environments for monitoring and controlling network infrastructure. The affected versions include specific releases of both product lines, making this vulnerability particularly concerning for organizations maintaining legacy network management systems. The flaw allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands against the underlying database, potentially compromising the entire network management infrastructure.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation within the web application components of these HP products. When user-supplied data is directly incorporated into SQL query construction without proper sanitization or parameterization, attackers can manipulate input fields to inject malicious SQL code. This weakness manifests in parameters that handle user input for search functions, configuration settings, or administrative operations within the network management interfaces. The vulnerability is classified as a CWE-89: Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an SQL Command, which is a fundamental database security issue that has been consistently identified as one of the top ten web application security risks by OWASP.
The operational impact of CVE-2018-6493 extends far beyond simple data theft, as successful exploitation can lead to complete system compromise and unauthorized access to critical network infrastructure. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to extract sensitive configuration data, user credentials, and network topology information from the database backend. In enterprise environments where these products are used for network monitoring, the implications are severe as attackers could potentially gain insights into network vulnerabilities, access control mechanisms, and operational procedures. The remote exploit capability eliminates the need for physical access or network proximity, making this vulnerability particularly dangerous in connected enterprise environments where network management systems are accessible from multiple locations. According to ATT&CK framework category T1071.004, this vulnerability enables command and control operations through application layer protocols, while T1213.002 represents the data access and exfiltration capabilities that result from successful exploitation.
Organizations affected by this vulnerability should implement immediate mitigations including network segmentation to limit access to administrative interfaces, deployment of web application firewalls to detect and block SQL injection attempts, and comprehensive input validation measures. The recommended approach involves applying the vendor-provided security patches as soon as they become available, which typically address the root cause through proper parameterization of database queries and enhanced input sanitization. Additionally, implementing principle of least privilege access controls for administrative accounts, enabling detailed logging and monitoring of database activities, and conducting regular security assessments of network management systems will significantly reduce the risk exposure. Security teams should also consider implementing database activity monitoring solutions that can detect anomalous SQL query patterns indicative of injection attacks, as these systems provide additional layers of defense beyond traditional perimeter security measures.