CVE-2019-13076 in KACE Systems Management Appliance Server Center
Summary
by MITRE
Quest KACE Systems Management Appliance Server Center 9.1.317 is vulnerable to SQL injection. An authenticated user has the ability to execute arbitrary commands against the database. The affected component is /userui/ticket_list.php, and affected parameters are order[0][column] and order[0][dir].
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/05/2024
The Quest KACE Systems Management Appliance Server Center version 9.1.317 contains a critical SQL injection vulnerability that allows authenticated attackers to execute arbitrary commands against the underlying database system. This vulnerability resides within the ticket_list.php component which processes user input through the order[0][column] and order[0][dir] parameters. The flaw represents a classic SQL injection attack vector where user-supplied data is directly incorporated into database queries without proper sanitization or parameterization. This vulnerability falls under CWE-89 which specifically addresses SQL injection flaws in software applications. The impact extends beyond simple data theft as the authenticated user can leverage this weakness to gain elevated privileges and potentially compromise the entire database infrastructure.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability requires an authenticated user session, which significantly reduces the attack surface but does not eliminate the risk entirely. Attackers can manipulate the order[0][column] and order[0][dir] parameters to inject malicious SQL payloads that bypass authentication mechanisms and execute arbitrary commands on the database server. This capability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1078 which covers valid accounts and T1046 which covers network service scanning. The vulnerability demonstrates poor input validation and insufficient query parameterization practices that are commonly found in legacy applications. The affected parameters are processed within a sorting mechanism that typically handles user interface ordering requests, making this attack vector particularly insidious as it can be exploited through normal application usage patterns.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe and multifaceted for organizations relying on the KACE appliance for systems management. Successful exploitation could lead to complete database compromise including data exfiltration, data manipulation, and potential lateral movement within the network infrastructure. Organizations may face regulatory compliance violations and significant financial losses due to potential data breaches. The vulnerability affects the core functionality of the systems management appliance which is critical for enterprise IT operations, potentially disrupting service management workflows and system monitoring capabilities. The presence of this vulnerability also indicates broader security weaknesses in the application's codebase that may expose other components to similar attacks.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including applying the vendor-provided security patches and updates as soon as they become available. Network segmentation and access controls should be strengthened to limit the attack surface and reduce the likelihood of successful exploitation. The implementation of web application firewalls and database activity monitoring solutions can provide additional layers of defense. Security teams should conduct thorough vulnerability assessments to identify other potential SQL injection vulnerabilities within the application ecosystem and related systems. Regular security testing including penetration testing and code reviews should be implemented to prevent similar vulnerabilities from emerging in future releases. The vulnerability also underscores the importance of following secure coding practices and implementing proper input validation and parameterized queries as recommended by OWASP and NIST security guidelines.