SQL injection vulnerability in ESRI ArcGIS for Server through 10.2 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via unspecified input to the map or feature service.
ESRI ArcGIS for Server versions up to 10.2 are vulnerable to a critical SQL injection flaw, enabling remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands. Successful exploitation grants attackers unauthorized access to the underlying database, potentially leading to data breaches, system compromise, and complete control of the server environment.
Step 1: Payload Delivery: The attacker crafts a malicious SQL injection payload, designed to manipulate the underlying database queries. This payload is embedded within a specially crafted request to the ArcGIS Server's map or feature service, targeting an unspecified input field.
Step 2: Request Processing: The ArcGIS Server receives the malicious request and processes it. The vulnerable code within the service fails to properly validate or sanitize the attacker-controlled input.
Step 3: Query Construction: The attacker's input, containing the SQL injection payload, is directly incorporated into a SQL query string. This typically occurs when the service constructs a query to retrieve or manipulate data based on user-provided parameters.
Step 4: Query Execution: The crafted SQL query, now containing the attacker's payload, is executed by the database server. The database server interprets and executes the injected SQL commands.
Step 5: Data Exfiltration/Command Execution: Depending on the payload, the attacker can achieve various objectives, including data exfiltration (e.g., retrieving sensitive information from the database), unauthorized data modification, or even remote command execution on the server through the database's capabilities (e.g., using xp_cmdshell on SQL Server).
The vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation within the ArcGIS Server's handling of user-supplied data, specifically within the map or feature service components. The server fails to properly sanitize user-provided input before incorporating it into SQL queries. This allows attackers to inject malicious SQL code, which is then executed by the database server. The root cause is a lack of parameterized queries or proper escaping of user-controlled input, leading to a classic SQL injection scenario. The specific function or logic flaw lies within the service's query processing logic, where the attacker-controlled input is directly concatenated into the SQL query string without proper sanitization. This allows for the manipulation of the query's intended behavior, leading to unauthorized data access and command execution.