CVE-2021-40850 in GIM
Summary
by MITRE • 12/17/2021
TCMAN GIM is vulnerable to a SQL injection vulnerability inside several available webservice methods in /PC/WebService.asmx.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/24/2021
TCMAN GIM presents a critical security weakness through a SQL injection vulnerability embedded within multiple web service methods exposed through the /PC/WebService.asmx endpoint. This vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and improper parameter handling within the web service implementation, allowing malicious actors to inject arbitrary SQL commands into database queries. The flaw manifests when the application processes user-supplied data without adequate sanitization or preparation, creating an attack surface where database operations can be manipulated through crafted input parameters. The affected web service methods likely process authentication tokens, user credentials, or operational data that flows directly into database execution contexts without proper security controls.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability enables attackers to perform unauthorized database operations including but not limited to data exfiltration, data manipulation, privilege escalation, and potentially complete system compromise. Attackers can leverage standard SQL injection techniques to bypass authentication mechanisms, extract sensitive information from database tables, modify or delete critical records, and establish persistent access to the underlying database infrastructure. The vulnerability affects the web service layer specifically, meaning that successful exploitation requires interaction with the exposed web service endpoints rather than direct database access. This makes the attack vector more accessible since attackers can potentially reach the vulnerable service through network-based reconnaissance and automated scanning tools.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond immediate data compromise to include potential business disruption, regulatory compliance violations, and reputational damage. Organizations utilizing TCMAN GIM systems face significant risk of unauthorized access to operational data, user credentials, and potentially sensitive business information stored within the database backend. The vulnerability's presence in multiple web service methods increases the attack surface and reduces the effectiveness of partial mitigations, as attackers can target any of the affected endpoints to achieve their objectives. This weakness particularly impacts organizations in regulated industries where database security and access controls are paramount for compliance with standards such as pci dss, hipaa, and gdpr requirements.
Security controls and mitigations for this vulnerability should focus on implementing proper input validation, parameterized queries, and comprehensive web service security hardening. Organizations must ensure that all user inputs are properly sanitized and validated before processing, with particular attention to the web service endpoint implementations. The implementation of prepared statements or parameterized queries should be enforced throughout the application code to prevent SQL injection exploitation. Additionally, access controls should be strengthened around the web service endpoints, including authentication requirements and rate limiting to prevent automated exploitation attempts. Regular security testing and vulnerability assessments should be conducted to identify similar weaknesses in other application components and ensure that the web service layer maintains robust security controls against evolving attack techniques. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-89 and follows patterns associated with ATT&CK technique T1190 for exploitation of vulnerabilities in web applications.