CVE-2019-6523 in WebAccess SCADA
Summary
by MITRE
WebAccess/SCADA, Version 8.3. The software does not properly sanitize its inputs for SQL commands.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/08/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2019-6523 affects WebAccess/SCADA version 8.3, a supervisory control and data acquisition system widely used in industrial environments for managing critical infrastructure operations. This system serves as a central hub for monitoring and controlling industrial processes, making it a prime target for cyber attacks that could potentially disrupt essential services. The vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation mechanisms within the software's database interaction components, creating a pathway for malicious actors to exploit SQL injection vulnerabilities. The affected system processes user inputs through database queries without proper sanitization, allowing attackers to manipulate SQL command execution through carefully crafted input data.
This flaw represents a classic SQL injection vulnerability classified under CWE-89, which occurs when an application fails to properly escape or validate user-supplied data before incorporating it into SQL queries. The vulnerability exists in the WebAccess/SCADA software's handling of user inputs that are subsequently used in database operations, creating an environment where attackers can execute arbitrary SQL commands against the underlying database. The lack of proper input sanitization means that malicious users can inject SQL code through various input fields, potentially gaining unauthorized access to sensitive operational data, modifying critical system parameters, or even executing commands on the underlying database server.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data compromise, as it could enable attackers to disrupt critical industrial processes that rely on WebAccess/SCADA for monitoring and control functions. Industrial control systems are particularly vulnerable to such attacks because they often operate in environments where system availability and data integrity are paramount, and disruptions can lead to significant financial losses, safety hazards, or operational failures. Attackers could leverage this vulnerability to manipulate operational data, alter control parameters, or gain unauthorized access to system configurations, potentially leading to cascading failures within the industrial control network. The vulnerability also aligns with ATT&CK technique T1071.004 for application layer protocol manipulation and T1566 for credential access through application layer protocols, demonstrating how this weakness can be exploited to gain deeper system access.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2019-6523 should focus on immediate remediation through official vendor patches and updates, while also implementing additional defensive measures such as input validation at multiple layers within the application architecture. Organizations should deploy web application firewalls to detect and block suspicious SQL injection attempts, implement strict input validation and sanitization protocols, and conduct regular security assessments of their industrial control systems. Network segmentation and access controls should be strengthened to limit potential attack vectors, while regular monitoring of database access logs can help detect anomalous activities that may indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability highlights the importance of following secure coding practices and adhering to industrial security standards such as NIST SP 800-82 for industrial control systems security, ensuring that input validation mechanisms are robustly implemented across all database interaction points within critical infrastructure applications.