CVE-2020-5320 in OpenManage Enterprise
Summary
by MITRE • 07/20/2021
Dell EMC OpenManage Enterprise (OME) versions prior to 3.2 and OpenManage Enterprise-Modular (OME-M) versions prior to 1.10.00 contain a SQL injection vulnerability. A remote authenticated malicious user with high privileges could potentially exploit this vulnerability to execute SQL commands to perform unauthorized actions.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/22/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2020-5320 affects Dell EMC OpenManage Enterprise and OpenManage Enterprise-Modular software versions prior to specific patch releases, representing a critical security flaw that undermines the integrity of these enterprise management platforms. This SQL injection vulnerability exists within the authentication and authorization mechanisms of the management software, creating a pathway for malicious actors to manipulate database queries through crafted inputs. The flaw specifically targets the web interface components that handle user authentication and authorization requests, where input validation is insufficient to prevent malicious SQL commands from being executed against the underlying database systems.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate parameter sanitization within the web application's input handling routines, allowing attackers to inject malicious SQL code through authenticated sessions. According to CWE-89, this represents a classic SQL injection vulnerability where user-supplied data is directly incorporated into SQL query strings without proper escaping or parameterization. The attack vector requires a malicious user to already possess valid credentials with high privileges, typically administrative access, which aligns with the ATT&CK framework's privilege escalation techniques where attackers leverage existing credentials to expand their access scope. The vulnerability enables attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands against the database, potentially allowing them to extract sensitive information, modify database records, or even escalate their privileges within the system.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft, as it provides attackers with the capability to manipulate the entire management infrastructure of Dell EMC systems. An attacker with high privileges could potentially modify user accounts, access confidential system information, or disrupt the management capabilities of the enterprise environment. The database manipulation capabilities could lead to complete system compromise, especially if the database contains authentication credentials, system configurations, or other sensitive operational data. This vulnerability particularly affects enterprise environments where OpenManage is used to manage large-scale server deployments, as it could allow attackers to gain unauthorized access to critical infrastructure management functions. The risk is compounded by the fact that the vulnerability affects both the standard OpenManage Enterprise platform and the modular variant, indicating a widespread impact across Dell EMC's management ecosystem.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate patching of affected systems to the recommended versions, specifically OME 3.2 and OME-M 1.10.00 or later, which contain the necessary security fixes. Organizations should implement network segmentation to limit access to management interfaces and enforce strict access controls for administrative accounts. The principle of least privilege should be enforced by ensuring that only authorized personnel have high-privilege accounts, and multi-factor authentication should be implemented where possible. Security monitoring should be enhanced to detect unusual database access patterns or authentication attempts that could indicate exploitation attempts. Additionally, regular vulnerability assessments and security audits should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other enterprise management systems, particularly those that handle sensitive operational data through web interfaces. The remediation process should include thorough testing of patches in non-production environments before deployment to ensure compatibility with existing enterprise infrastructure.