CVE-2021-44835 in Active Intelligent Visualization
Summary
by MITRE • 09/09/2022
An issue was discovered in Active Intelligent Visualization 5. The Vdc header is used in a SQL query without being sanitized. This causes SQL injection.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/10/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2021-44835 resides within Active Intelligent Visualization 5, a system designed for data visualization and analytics. This particular weakness manifests in the handling of the Vdc header parameter within SQL query operations, creating a critical security exposure that could be exploited by malicious actors to gain unauthorized access to underlying database systems. The vulnerability represents a classic case of insufficient input validation where user-supplied data flows directly into database queries without proper sanitization or parameterization mechanisms.
The technical flaw stems from the application's failure to properly sanitize the Vdc header before incorporating it into SQL execution contexts. When the system processes requests containing this header parameter, it directly concatenates the input values into SQL statements rather than utilizing parameterized queries or proper input validation techniques. This design oversight creates an environment where attackers can manipulate the Vdc header to inject malicious SQL code that executes with the privileges of the affected application. The vulnerability is classified as a SQL injection weakness under CWE-89, which specifically addresses improper neutralization of special elements used in SQL commands.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data compromise, as successful exploitation could enable attackers to extract sensitive information, modify database contents, or even escalate privileges within the system. The Active Intelligent Visualization 5 platform likely handles various types of business-critical data through its database connections, making this vulnerability particularly dangerous for organizations relying on the system for operational analytics and reporting. Attackers could potentially access confidential business data, customer information, or operational metrics that the system was designed to protect.
Security professionals should implement immediate mitigations including input validation for all header parameters, implementation of parameterized queries, and comprehensive code review processes to identify similar vulnerabilities across the application stack. The remediation approach should align with established security frameworks such as the OWASP Top Ten and NIST cybersecurity guidelines, emphasizing proper input sanitization and secure coding practices. Additionally, organizations should consider implementing web application firewalls to detect and block malicious SQL injection attempts, while also conducting regular penetration testing to verify the effectiveness of implemented controls. This vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of adhering to secure coding standards and the potential consequences of overlooking fundamental security practices in database interaction components.