CVE-2023-0620 in Vault
Summary
by MITRE • 03/30/2023
HashiCorp Vault and Vault Enterprise versions 0.8.0 through 1.13.1 are vulnerable to an SQL injection attack when configuring the Microsoft SQL (MSSQL) Database Storage Backend. When configuring the MSSQL plugin through the local, certain parameters are not sanitized when passed to the user-provided MSSQL database. An attacker may modify these parameters to execute a malicious SQL command. This issue is fixed in versions 1.13.1, 1.12.5, and 1.11.9.
Once again VulDB remains the best source for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/20/2023
HashiCorp Vault and Vault Enterprise versions 0.8.0 through 1.13.1 contain a critical SQL injection vulnerability in their Microsoft SQL Database Storage Backend configuration. This vulnerability specifically affects the MSSQL plugin when configured through the local endpoint, creating a dangerous attack surface where user-provided parameters are not properly sanitized before being executed against the target database. The flaw stems from inadequate input validation and parameter sanitization mechanisms within the database backend configuration process, allowing malicious actors to inject arbitrary SQL commands through carefully crafted parameter values. This vulnerability is classified under CWE-89 as SQL injection, representing a fundamental weakness in data validation and input handling that can be exploited to gain unauthorized access to sensitive data and potentially compromise the entire database infrastructure.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft to encompass complete database compromise and potential lateral movement within affected environments. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to execute arbitrary SQL commands against the target MSSQL database, potentially gaining read access to sensitive configuration data, credentials stored in the vault, or even escalating privileges within the database itself. The vulnerability affects the local configuration interface where administrators set up database connections, making it particularly dangerous as it can be exploited by both external attackers and privileged insiders with access to the Vault configuration endpoints. This issue directly maps to ATT&CK technique T1078.004 for valid accounts and T1566.001 for malicious file execution, as attackers can use the compromised configuration to establish persistent access and execute malicious database operations.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate patching to versions 1.13.1, 1.12.5, or 1.11.9, as these releases contain the necessary sanitization fixes for the MSSQL plugin parameters. Organizations should implement comprehensive monitoring of database connection configurations and parameter inputs to detect potential exploitation attempts. Network segmentation and least-privilege access controls should be enforced around Vault instances to limit the potential impact of successful exploitation. Additionally, security teams should conduct thorough audits of all database backend configurations to ensure proper input validation and parameter sanitization are implemented across all supported database plugins. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of input validation in database interaction components and highlights the need for robust sanitization mechanisms in all configuration interfaces that interact with external database systems, particularly in enterprise security tools where the compromise of configuration data can have cascading effects throughout the entire security infrastructure.