CVE-2020-3468 in SD-WAN vManage
Summary
by MITRE
A vulnerability in the web-based management interface of Cisco SD-WAN vManage Software could allow an authenticated, remote attacker to conduct SQL injection attacks on an affected system. The vulnerability exists because the web-based management interface improperly validates values within SQL queries. An attacker could exploit this vulnerability by authenticating to the application and sending malicious SQL queries to an affected system. A successful exploit could allow the attacker to modify values on or return values from the underlying database or the operating system.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/04/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2020-3468 resides within the web-based management interface of Cisco SD-WAN vManage Software, representing a critical security flaw that undermines the integrity of network infrastructure management systems. This vulnerability specifically targets the authentication and authorization mechanisms of the software, creating an exploitable condition that allows authenticated attackers to manipulate database operations through malicious SQL injection techniques. The affected system operates within enterprise network environments where SD-WAN solutions are deployed to manage distributed network connections, making this vulnerability particularly dangerous as it directly impacts the operational security of critical network infrastructure. The vulnerability is categorized under CWE-89, which specifically addresses SQL injection flaws, and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1071.004 for application layer protocol manipulation.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from improper input validation within the web-based management interface of the vManage software. When authenticated users interact with the application's database query interfaces, the system fails to properly sanitize or validate user-supplied input parameters before incorporating them into SQL queries. This lack of input sanitization creates a pathway for attackers to inject malicious SQL code that can be executed within the context of the database engine. The flaw specifically affects how the application processes user credentials and administrative commands, allowing an attacker who has already established authentication to leverage this weakness for deeper system compromise. The vulnerability's exploitation requires minimal privileges since the attacker must only be authenticated to the system, making it particularly concerning for environments where administrative access is more widely distributed.
The operational impact of CVE-2020-3468 extends far beyond simple data manipulation, as successful exploitation can lead to complete system compromise and unauthorized access to sensitive network management data. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to extract confidential information from the underlying database, modify network configurations, and potentially escalate privileges to gain control over the entire SD-WAN management system. The consequences include disruption of network services, unauthorized access to network policies, and potential data exfiltration that could compromise the entire network infrastructure. Organizations relying on Cisco SD-WAN vManage software face significant risk of operational disruption and security breaches, as this vulnerability can be exploited without requiring additional reconnaissance or privilege escalation beyond initial authentication. The attack vector is particularly dangerous because it operates within the legitimate administrative interface, making detection more challenging and potentially allowing attackers to remain undetected while conducting their activities.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2020-3468 must address both immediate remediation and long-term security posture improvements. Cisco has released patches and software updates to address this vulnerability, which organizations should implement immediately to protect their SD-WAN environments. Network segmentation and access control measures should be strengthened to limit the blast radius of potential exploitation, ensuring that only authorized personnel can access the vManage interface. Additional protective measures include implementing network monitoring solutions that can detect anomalous SQL query patterns and unauthorized database access attempts. Security teams should also conduct comprehensive vulnerability assessments of their SD-WAN deployments and establish incident response procedures specifically addressing database injection attacks. The remediation process must include thorough testing of patches in non-production environments before deployment to ensure operational stability. Organizations should also consider implementing database activity monitoring and audit logging to detect potential exploitation attempts and maintain compliance with security standards such as those outlined in the NIST Cybersecurity Framework and ISO 27001 requirements for information security management.