CVE-2020-3154 in Cloud Web Security
Summary
by MITRE
A vulnerability in the web UI of Cisco Cloud Web Security (CWS) could allow an authenticated, remote attacker to execute arbitrary SQL queries. The vulnerability exists because the web-based management interface improperly validates SQL values. An authenticated attacker could exploit this vulnerability sending malicious requests to the affected device. An exploit could allow the attacker to modify values on or return values from the underlying database.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/01/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2020-3154 resides within the web user interface of Cisco Cloud Web Security, 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-based management interface, specifically failing to properly sanitize SQL values before processing them within the database layer. The flaw allows attackers who have already established authentication credentials to manipulate the underlying database through carefully crafted malicious requests that bypass normal validation controls.
This security weakness creates a pathway for attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands against the database system that powers the Cisco Cloud Web Security service. The improper validation of SQL values means that when legitimate authenticated users submit requests containing SQL syntax, the system fails to properly escape or filter these inputs before they reach the database engine. This allows attackers to inject malicious SQL code that can manipulate database contents, retrieve unauthorized information, or potentially modify critical system data. The vulnerability specifically affects the web UI components that handle database interactions, making it particularly dangerous as it operates within the legitimate administrative interface that authorized users naturally access.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data manipulation to potentially compromise the entire security posture of the cloud web security service. Attackers exploiting this flaw could gain access to sensitive configuration data, user information, or security policies stored within the database. The ability to modify database values could lead to complete service disruption, unauthorized access to protected resources, or the ability to establish persistent backdoors within the security infrastructure. Additionally, the vulnerability's remote exploitation capability means attackers do not require physical access to the system, making it particularly dangerous in cloud environments where security boundaries are already complex.
Organizations utilizing Cisco Cloud Web Security should immediately implement mitigations including applying the latest security patches provided by Cisco, implementing network segmentation to limit access to the web UI components, and conducting thorough security audits of database interactions within the affected system. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-89 which specifically addresses SQL injection flaws, and represents a clear violation of secure coding practices that should be addressed through proper input validation and parameterized queries. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to techniques involving SQL injection and privilege escalation, potentially enabling attackers to move laterally within the security infrastructure and maintain persistent access to critical cloud security services.