CVE-2020-13499 in Enterprise Data Management Web
Summary
by MITRE
An SQL injection vulnerability exists in the CHaD.asmx web service functionality of eDNA Enterprise Data Historian 3.0.1.2/7.5.4989.33053. Specially crafted SOAP web requests can cause SQL injections resulting in data compromise. Parameter InstancePath in CHaD.asmx is vulnerable to unauthenticated SQL injection attacks.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/21/2020
The vulnerability CVE-2020-13499 represents a critical SQL injection flaw within the CHaD.asmx web service component of eDNA Enterprise Data Historian versions 3.0.1.2 and 7.5.4989.33053. This issue resides in the enterprise data historian software that is commonly deployed in industrial environments for collecting, storing, and managing operational data from various industrial control systems. The affected CHaD.asmx service exposes a SOAP interface that processes incoming web requests without adequate input validation or parameter sanitization, creating a pathway for malicious actors to execute unauthorized database operations.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through the InstancePath parameter within the CHaD.asmx web service interface. When processing SOAP requests containing maliciously crafted InstancePath values, the application fails to properly escape or validate user-supplied input before incorporating it into SQL query constructions. This allows attackers to inject arbitrary SQL commands that execute within the context of the database connection, potentially enabling full database compromise. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it operates without requiring authentication, making it accessible to any external party capable of sending SOAP requests to the affected service. The attack vector leverages standard SQL injection techniques where malicious input sequences such as single quotes, semicolons, or SQL comment characters can be used to manipulate the underlying database queries.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft to encompass complete system compromise within industrial environments. Attackers could potentially access sensitive operational data, modify database contents, extract confidential information about industrial processes, or even disrupt normal operations by corrupting data structures. The eDNA Enterprise Data Historian typically stores critical information about industrial control system operations, including process variables, historical trends, and operational parameters that are essential for maintaining industrial safety and operational efficiency. Given that many industrial environments rely on such systems for continuous monitoring and control, the compromise of database integrity could lead to cascading failures in operational technology environments. This vulnerability directly aligns with CWE-89 which categorizes SQL injection as a fundamental weakness in software design that allows attackers to manipulate database queries through untrusted input.
Organizations affected by this vulnerability should implement immediate mitigations including network segmentation to restrict access to the CHaD.asmx service, implementing web application firewalls to filter malicious SOAP requests, and applying vendor-provided patches once available. The mitigation strategy should also include monitoring for suspicious database activity and network traffic patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to techniques such as T1190 (Exploit Public-Facing Application) and T1071.004 (Application Layer Protocol: DNS) when attackers attempt to leverage the service for data exfiltration. Additionally, organizations should consider implementing database activity monitoring solutions to detect anomalous SQL query patterns and establish robust input validation controls at all application interfaces. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of secure coding practices in industrial control system software and highlights the need for comprehensive security testing of operational technology components that are often deployed without adequate security considerations.