CVE-2019-15995 in DNA Spaces Connector
Summary
by MITRE
A vulnerability in the web UI of Cisco DNA Spaces: Connector could allow an authenticated, remote attacker to execute arbitrary SQL queries. The vulnerability exists because the web UI does not properly validate user-supplied input. An attacker could exploit this vulnerability by entering malicious SQL statements in an affected field in the web UI. A successful exploit could allow the attacker to remove the SQL database, which would require the reinstallation of the Connector VM.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/28/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2019-15995 resides within the web user interface of Cisco DNA Spaces: Connector, representing a critical security flaw that enables authenticated remote attackers to perform unauthorized SQL injection attacks. This vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation mechanisms within the web application layer, specifically in how the system processes user-supplied data submitted through web forms and interface elements. The flaw allows malicious actors who have already gained authentication credentials to manipulate the application's database interactions by injecting crafted SQL commands directly into input fields, bypassing normal security controls and validation procedures.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-89, which categorizes SQL injection flaws as weaknesses in input validation that permit attackers to execute arbitrary database commands. The web UI component of Cisco DNA Spaces: Connector fails to properly sanitize or escape user inputs before processing them through database queries, creating an environment where malicious SQL payloads can be interpreted and executed by the underlying database engine. This type of vulnerability falls under the ATT&CK technique T1071.004 for application layer protocol manipulation and T1046 for network service scanning, as attackers can leverage this flaw to explore and manipulate the database infrastructure.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft or modification, as successful exploitation could result in complete database destruction requiring full system reinstallation. When an attacker executes malicious SQL commands through the vulnerable interface, they can potentially delete database tables, truncate critical information, or perform other destructive operations that compromise the integrity and availability of the Connector VM's data storage. The requirement for complete reinstallation of the virtual machine represents a significant operational disruption that could affect network monitoring capabilities and business continuity, particularly in environments where Cisco DNA Spaces: Connector serves as a critical component for network analytics and management.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2019-15995 should prioritize immediate patching of the affected Cisco DNA Spaces: Connector software to address the input validation deficiencies. Organizations should implement network segmentation to limit access to the web UI interface, ensuring that only authorized personnel with legitimate business needs can interact with the system. Additional protective measures include implementing web application firewalls to detect and block suspicious SQL injection patterns, enforcing strict input validation at multiple layers of the application architecture, and conducting regular security assessments to identify similar vulnerabilities in other network management components. The implementation of principle of least privilege access controls and comprehensive logging of all database interactions can help detect exploitation attempts and provide forensic evidence for security investigations.