CVE-2025-13214 in Aspera Orchestrator
Summary
by MITRE • 12/11/2025
IBM Aspera Orchestrator 4.0.0 through 4.1.0 is vulnerable to SQL injection. A remote attacker could send specially crafted SQL statements, which could allow the attacker to view, add, modify, or delete information in the back-end database.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/16/2025
IBM Aspera Orchestrator versions 4.0.0 through 4.1.0 contain a critical SQL injection vulnerability that exposes the backend database to unauthorized access and manipulation. This vulnerability falls under the CWE-89 category, which specifically addresses SQL injection flaws in software applications. The flaw arises from insufficient input validation and sanitization within the application's database interaction components, allowing malicious actors to inject arbitrary SQL commands through carefully crafted input fields. Attackers can exploit this vulnerability remotely without requiring authentication, making it particularly dangerous in networked environments where the orchestrator system is exposed to external networks.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from the application's failure to properly escape or parameterize user-supplied inputs before incorporating them into database queries. When legitimate users provide input through various interface components or API endpoints, the system processes these inputs directly into SQL statements without adequate sanitization measures. This creates an attack surface where malicious payloads can manipulate the intended database operations, potentially executing commands that reveal sensitive data, modify existing records, or even delete entire database tables. The vulnerability affects the core database interaction functionality of the orchestrator, which manages file transfer workflows and related metadata storage.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data compromise, as it can lead to complete system compromise and unauthorized access to sensitive file transfer operations. An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability could gain access to confidential business data, user credentials, and operational metadata stored within the orchestrator's database. The ability to modify or delete database content could disrupt file transfer operations and potentially cause denial of service conditions. Additionally, the vulnerability could serve as a stepping stone for further attacks within the network infrastructure, as the compromised orchestrator system might contain information about other connected systems or serve as a pivot point for lateral movement. This type of vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1071.004 for application layer protocol manipulation and T1046 for network service discovery.
Organizations utilizing IBM Aspera Orchestrator within this affected version range should implement immediate mitigations to protect against exploitation. The primary recommendation involves upgrading to a patched version of the software where IBM has addressed the SQL injection vulnerability through proper input validation and parameterized query implementation. Until such upgrades are possible, network administrators should consider implementing network-level protections such as web application firewalls and database access controls to limit exposure. Input validation should be strengthened at all application entry points, with proper sanitization routines applied to all user-supplied data. Database access should be restricted through principle of least privilege enforcement, limiting the database user permissions to only those required for normal operation. Regular security monitoring and log analysis should be implemented to detect potential exploitation attempts, while comprehensive penetration testing should be conducted to verify the effectiveness of implemented controls and identify any additional vulnerabilities within the system architecture.