CVE-2021-44050 in Network Flow Analysis
Summary
by MITRE • 12/02/2021
CA Network Flow Analysis (NFA) 21.2.1 and earlier contain a SQL injection vulnerability in the NFA web application, due to insufficient input validation, that could potentially allow an authenticated user to access sensitive data.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/09/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2021-44050 affects CA Network Flow Analysis version 21.2.1 and earlier implementations, representing a critical security flaw within the web application component of this network monitoring solution. This issue stems from inadequate input validation mechanisms that fail to properly sanitize user-supplied data before processing within the database layer. The affected system operates as a network flow analysis tool designed to collect, process, and analyze network traffic data for security monitoring and compliance purposes, making it a valuable target for malicious actors seeking unauthorized access to sensitive network information.
The technical exploitation of this SQL injection vulnerability occurs when an authenticated user submits maliciously crafted input through the web interface that gets directly incorporated into SQL query construction without proper sanitization or parameterization. This flaw allows an attacker to manipulate the underlying database queries and potentially extract confidential information from the system's data stores. The vulnerability specifically impacts the web application layer of NFA, where user inputs are processed for various analytical functions including report generation, data filtering, and query execution. According to CWE-89, this represents a classic SQL injection weakness where insufficient input validation creates opportunities for attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands against the database backend.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft, as it could enable attackers to gain unauthorized access to comprehensive network flow data including user activities, network communications, and potentially sensitive system information. Network flow analysis systems typically contain highly valuable intelligence about network behavior, user patterns, and security incidents that could be leveraged for further attacks or used to compromise other systems within the network infrastructure. The authenticated nature of the vulnerability means that attackers would need valid credentials to exploit this flaw, but once accessed, the potential for data exfiltration and system compromise remains significant. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1071.004 for application layer protocol manipulation and could facilitate data access through T1005 for data acquisition.
Organizations utilizing CA Network Flow Analysis should prioritize immediate remediation through the application of vendor-provided patches or updates that address the input validation deficiencies in the web application. System administrators should also implement network segmentation and access controls to limit the potential impact of credential compromise, while monitoring for suspicious activities that might indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of input validation and parameterized queries in preventing database-related attacks, and serves as a reminder of the need for regular security assessments of network monitoring tools that handle sensitive operational data. Additionally, implementing web application firewalls and database activity monitoring solutions can provide additional layers of protection against similar vulnerabilities in other components of the network infrastructure.