CVE-2018-9245 in iPECS NMS
Summary
by MITRE
The Ericsson-LG iPECS NMS A.1Ac login portal has a SQL injection vulnerability in the User ID and password fields that allows users to bypass the login page and execute remote code on the operating system.
If you want to get the best quality for vulnerability data then you always have to consider VulDB.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/04/2025
The CVE-2018-9245 vulnerability affects the Ericsson-LG iPECS NMS A.1Ac system, which is a network management solution used for enterprise communication systems. This vulnerability resides within the login portal component of the system, specifically targeting the User ID and password input fields. The flaw represents a critical security weakness that fundamentally compromises the authentication mechanism of the platform. The vulnerability is classified as a SQL injection attack vector that can be exploited by malicious actors to gain unauthorized access to the system.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and sanitization within the login portal's backend processing. When users enter credentials into the User ID and password fields, the system fails to properly sanitize these inputs before incorporating them into SQL database queries. This allows attackers to inject malicious SQL commands that manipulate the database query execution flow. The vulnerability specifically targets the authentication logic where user credentials are verified against stored user accounts in the database. The flaw enables attackers to craft specially formatted inputs that bypass normal authentication checks and gain administrative access to the system.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe and multifaceted. Successful exploitation allows attackers to bypass the login page entirely and gain full administrative access to the iPECS NMS system. This elevated access level provides threat actors with complete control over the communication infrastructure managed by the system. The vulnerability enables remote code execution capabilities, meaning attackers can execute arbitrary commands on the underlying operating system. This remote code execution capability allows for persistent access, data exfiltration, system compromise, and potential lateral movement within the network. The impact extends beyond immediate system compromise to include potential disruption of enterprise communication services and unauthorized access to sensitive business data.
The vulnerability aligns with CWE-89, which specifically addresses SQL injection flaws in software applications. From an adversarial perspective, this vulnerability maps to multiple ATT&CK techniques including T1190 for exploitation of remote services, T1078 for valid accounts usage, and T1059 for command and scripting interpreter. Organizations using this system face significant risk of unauthorized access and potential system compromise. The vulnerability affects the integrity and confidentiality of the communication infrastructure, potentially exposing sensitive business communications and operational data. The attack surface is particularly concerning because the vulnerability exists in a network management system that typically has elevated privileges and access to critical enterprise infrastructure.
Mitigation strategies should include immediate patching of the affected system with vendor-provided security updates. Organizations should implement network segmentation to isolate the affected system from critical business networks and apply strict access controls. Input validation should be enhanced through proper parameterized queries and prepared statements to prevent SQL injection attacks. Regular security audits and penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other network management systems. Additional protective measures include implementing intrusion detection systems, monitoring login attempts for suspicious patterns, and maintaining comprehensive backup and recovery procedures. The vulnerability underscores the importance of secure coding practices and regular security assessments of network management infrastructure.