CVE-2019-18663 in ARP-GUARD
Summary
by MITRE
A SQL injection vulnerability in a /login/forgot1 POST request in ARP-GUARD 4.0.0-5 allows unauthenticated remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via the user_id parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/04/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2019-18663 represents a critical SQL injection flaw within the ARP-GUARD network security appliance version 4.0.0-5. This vulnerability specifically affects the password reset functionality, which is accessible through the /login/forgot1 POST endpoint. The flaw stems from inadequate input validation and sanitization of the user_id parameter, which is processed without proper escaping or parameterization mechanisms. Attackers can exploit this weakness by crafting malicious SQL payloads in the user_id field, potentially gaining unauthorized access to the underlying database system. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it operates without requiring authentication, making it accessible to any remote attacker who can reach the affected system. This represents a classic example of CWE-89, or SQL Injection, where user-supplied data is directly incorporated into SQL commands without adequate protection measures. The attack vector is straightforward and exploits the fundamental principle that untrusted input should never be directly embedded into database queries without proper sanitization or parameterization techniques.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft, as it enables attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands on the target database server. This capability allows for comprehensive database enumeration, data extraction, modification, or deletion of sensitive information including user credentials, network configurations, and potentially system-level data. The exploitation process typically involves crafting malicious payloads that manipulate the SQL query structure to bypass authentication mechanisms or extract information through error-based or blind SQL injection techniques. Given that ARP-GUARD is a network security appliance, successful exploitation could lead to complete compromise of the network monitoring and protection capabilities, potentially allowing attackers to establish persistent backdoors or escalate privileges within the network infrastructure. The vulnerability affects the authentication and password recovery mechanisms, which are critical components of any security system, making this flaw particularly dangerous for organizations relying on the appliance for network protection. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1078.004, which covers valid accounts, as successful exploitation could lead to credential theft or unauthorized access to legitimate user accounts.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2019-18663 must address both immediate remediation and long-term security improvements. The most effective immediate solution involves implementing proper input validation and parameterized queries for all database interactions, particularly in the password reset functionality. Organizations should ensure that all user-supplied parameters are properly escaped or parameterized before being incorporated into SQL commands, following the principle of least privilege for database connections. Network segmentation and access controls should be implemented to limit exposure of the affected endpoint to only authorized users and systems. Additionally, regular security testing including penetration testing and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to identify similar issues in other components of the system. The remediation process should include applying vendor patches or updates as soon as they become available, while also implementing web application firewalls to detect and block suspicious SQL injection attempts. Organizations should also consider implementing database activity monitoring to detect unusual SQL query patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts. From a compliance perspective, this vulnerability would likely violate standards such as nist 800-53 and iso 27001, which mandate proper input validation and protection against injection attacks in security systems. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of maintaining up-to-date security practices and the dangers of insufficient input sanitization in security-critical applications.