CVE-2022-26514 in DIAEnergie
Summary
by MITRE • 03/29/2022
Delta Electronics DIAEnergie (All versions prior to 1.8.02.004) has a blind SQL injection vulnerability that exists in DIAE_tagHandler.ashx. This allows an attacker to inject arbitrary SQL queries, retrieve and modify database contents, and execute system commands.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/01/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2022-26514 affects Delta Electronics DIAEnergie software across all versions prior to 1.8.02.004, specifically within the DIAE_tagHandler.ashx component. This represents a critical security flaw that exposes the system to sophisticated attack vectors through blind SQL injection techniques. The vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and sanitization within the web application's handling of user-supplied data, creating an exploitable entry point that allows malicious actors to manipulate the underlying database infrastructure. The affected component processes requests through the ashx handler which fails to properly escape or validate parameters before incorporating them into SQL queries, enabling attackers to craft malicious inputs that bypass normal security controls.
The technical implementation of this blind SQL injection vulnerability operates through the manipulation of query parameters that are directly concatenated into database commands without proper sanitization. Attackers can exploit this weakness by injecting SQL payload sequences that trigger specific database responses or errors, allowing them to infer database structure and content through timing variations or conditional responses. This blind approach requires sophisticated exploitation techniques where attackers must systematically test various payloads to extract information from the database, as direct query results are not immediately visible. The vulnerability enables unauthorized data access, modification, and deletion operations, while also potentially allowing command execution capabilities that could escalate the attack to system-level compromise. According to CWE classification, this vulnerability maps to CWE-89 which specifically addresses SQL injection flaws, and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1190 for exploitation of remote services through SQL injection.
The operational impact of CVE-2022-26514 extends beyond simple data theft to encompass complete system compromise and potential operational disruption. Organizations utilizing affected Delta Electronics DIAEnergie versions face significant risk of unauthorized access to energy management data, potentially exposing sensitive operational information including system configurations, user credentials, and energy consumption patterns. The ability to execute system commands through this vulnerability creates pathways for attackers to establish persistent access, deploy malware, or conduct further reconnaissance within the network environment. The vulnerability affects industrial control systems and energy management platforms, making it particularly dangerous for critical infrastructure environments where operational continuity and security are paramount. Security teams must consider the potential for cascading effects if the compromised system interfaces with other network components or control systems, as the attack could potentially propagate beyond the initial vulnerable component.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2022-26514 require immediate action to upgrade affected systems to version 1.8.02.004 or later, which contains the necessary patches to address the SQL injection vulnerability. Organizations should implement comprehensive input validation and sanitization measures at all application entry points, ensuring that user-supplied data is properly escaped or parameterized before database interaction. Network segmentation and access controls should be strengthened to limit exposure of vulnerable components to untrusted networks or users. Regular security assessments and penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other components of the industrial control system environment. Additionally, implementing database activity monitoring and anomaly detection systems can help identify suspicious query patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts. The remediation process should include thorough testing of patched systems to ensure that the vulnerability is completely resolved without introducing new issues, particularly in industrial environments where system stability and uptime are critical considerations.