CVE-2023-47460 in Discovery
Summary
by MITRE • 01/16/2024
SQL injection vulnerability in Knovos Discovery v.22.67.0 allows a remote attacker to execute arbitrary code via the /DiscoveryProcess/Service/Admin.svc/getGridColumnStructure component.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/03/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2023-47460 represents a critical SQL injection flaw within the Knovos Discovery platform version 22.67.0. This security weakness specifically affects the /DiscoveryProcess/Service/Admin.svc/getGridColumnStructure endpoint, which serves as a critical interface for administrative operations within the discovery service. The vulnerability arises from insufficient input validation and improper parameter handling within the web service component, creating an avenue for malicious actors to manipulate database queries through crafted input parameters. This particular attack vector demonstrates a fundamental failure in the application's data sanitization processes, where user-supplied data directly influences the construction of SQL commands without adequate protection mechanisms.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability follows the classic SQL injection pattern where an attacker can inject malicious SQL code through the getGridColumnStructure endpoint. When the service processes requests containing specially crafted payloads, the application fails to properly escape or parameterize user inputs before incorporating them into database queries. This allows attackers to manipulate the underlying database operations, potentially gaining unauthorized access to sensitive data, modifying database content, or executing arbitrary commands on the database server. The vulnerability is classified as a remote code execution risk due to the potential for attackers to escalate privileges and gain full administrative control over the database infrastructure. This weakness aligns with CWE-89, which specifically addresses SQL injection vulnerabilities where untrusted data is used to construct SQL queries without proper sanitization.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data compromise, as it fundamentally undermines the security posture of organizations relying on Knovos Discovery for their data management and analysis needs. Attackers exploiting this vulnerability could potentially access confidential information, disrupt business operations through data manipulation, or establish persistent backdoors within the system. The remote nature of the attack means that threat actors do not require physical access to the network or direct system interaction, making the vulnerability particularly dangerous for enterprise environments. Organizations using this software may face significant regulatory compliance issues, data breach notifications, and potential legal consequences if sensitive information is compromised through this attack vector. The vulnerability also creates opportunities for lateral movement within networks, as database access often provides pathways to other connected systems and services, aligning with ATT&CK technique T1078 for valid accounts and T1566 for credential harvesting.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2023-47460 should prioritize immediate patching of the affected Knovos Discovery platform to the latest version that addresses this vulnerability. Organizations must implement comprehensive input validation mechanisms at all entry points, particularly focusing on the Admin.svc component and similar service endpoints. The implementation of parameterized queries and prepared statements should be enforced throughout the application codebase to prevent direct SQL command construction from user inputs. Network segmentation and access controls should be strengthened to limit exposure of administrative services to only trusted network segments. Additionally, organizations should deploy web application firewalls and intrusion detection systems to monitor for suspicious activity targeting the vulnerable endpoint. Regular security assessments and penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other components of the discovery platform, with particular attention to the application's database interaction patterns. The remediation process should include thorough testing of patched environments to ensure that security updates do not introduce regressions in functionality while maintaining the integrity of the data processing pipeline.