CVE-2022-43522 in EdgeConnect Enterprise Orchestration
Summary
by MITRE • 01/05/2023
Multiple vulnerabilities in the web-based management interface of Aruba EdgeConnect Enterprise Orchestrator could allow an authenticated remote attacker to conduct SQL injection attacks against the Aruba EdgeConnect Enterprise Orchestrator instance. An attacker could exploit these vulnerabilities to obtain and modify sensitive information in the underlying database potentially leading to complete compromise of the Aruba EdgeConnect Enterprise Orchestrator host in Aruba EdgeConnect Enterprise Orchestration Software version(s): Aruba EdgeConnect Enterprise Orchestrator (on-premises), Aruba EdgeConnect Enterprise Orchestrator-as-a-Service, Aruba EdgeConnect Enterprise Orchestrator-SP and Aruba EdgeConnect Enterprise Orchestrator Global Enterprise Tenant Orchestrators - Orchestrator 9.2.1.40179 and below, - Orchestrator 9.1.4.40436 and below, - Orchestrator 9.0.7.40110 and below, - Orchestrator 8.10.23.40015 and below, - Any older branches of Orchestrator not specifically mentioned.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/05/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2022-43522 represents a critical security flaw within the web-based management interface of Aruba EdgeConnect Enterprise Orchestrator software. This issue affects multiple deployment models including on-premises installations, cloud-based service offerings, and various orchestrator versions across different release branches. The vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation mechanisms within the application's database interaction components, creating an avenue for malicious actors to exploit SQL injection techniques against the underlying database infrastructure. The affected systems operate under the assumption that all user inputs are trustworthy, failing to properly sanitize or escape data before incorporating it into database queries, which directly aligns with CWE-89 - Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an SQL Command.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability requires an authenticated attacker who can leverage the web interface to submit malicious input parameters that are then processed by the backend database layer. Through careful crafting of SQL payloads, an attacker can manipulate the database queries to extract confidential information, modify existing records, or even execute administrative commands within the database environment. This type of attack demonstrates the dangerous potential of insufficient input validation, as the attacker can bypass normal access controls and directly interact with the database through the application's interface. The vulnerability's impact extends beyond simple data theft, as successful exploitation could lead to complete system compromise and unauthorized access to all data stored within the orchestrator's database. The attack surface is particularly concerning given that the vulnerability exists in multiple versions including 9.2.1.40179 and below, 9.1.4.40436 and below, 9.0.7.40110 and below, 8.10.23.40015 and below, indicating a widespread issue affecting various product releases.
From an operational perspective, the implications of this vulnerability are severe for organizations relying on Aruba EdgeConnect Enterprise Orchestrator for network management and orchestration tasks. The compromise of the orchestrator instance could result in unauthorized access to network configuration data, user credentials, and sensitive operational information that could be leveraged for further attacks within the network infrastructure. The authentication requirement does not mitigate the risk significantly, as the attack can be conducted by an attacker who has already gained legitimate access to the system through other means such as credential theft or social engineering. This vulnerability directly maps to ATT&CK technique T1071.004 - Application Layer Protocol: DNS, where attackers can use the application's legitimate interface to conduct malicious database operations, and T1046 - Network Service Scanning, as the attacker can explore the database structure to identify valuable targets for data extraction or modification. Organizations using affected versions may experience complete loss of control over their network orchestration capabilities, potentially leading to service disruptions and unauthorized network access.
Organizations should immediately implement mitigations including applying the latest security patches provided by Aruba, implementing network segmentation to limit access to the management interface, and conducting thorough security assessments of all database interactions within the affected systems. Additional protective measures include implementing web application firewalls to detect and block SQL injection attempts, enforcing strict input validation at all application entry points, and regularly monitoring database access logs for suspicious activity. The remediation process should involve comprehensive testing to ensure that the patch does not introduce compatibility issues with existing network configurations. Security teams should also consider implementing database activity monitoring solutions that can detect anomalous SQL query patterns indicative of injection attacks. Given the vulnerability's potential for complete system compromise, organizations should conduct immediate risk assessments and consider implementing additional security controls such as multi-factor authentication for management interfaces and regular security audits of the orchestrator's configuration settings. The vulnerability underscores the critical importance of maintaining up-to-date security patches and implementing robust input validation mechanisms across all application components that interact with database systems.