CVE-2019-12989
Citrix SD-WAN and NetScaler SQL Injection Vulnerability
Description
CVE-2019-12989 is a SQL injection vulnerability in Citrix SD-WAN and NetScaler SD-WAN appliances that allows an attacker to manipulate database queries and potentially access or modify sensitive data. The flaw exists in the web-based management interface, where user input is not properly sanitized before being incorporated into SQL queries. This vulnerability was added to the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog on March 25, 2022. With an EPSS score of 20.1% (96.2nd percentile), exploitation risk is significant for exposed appliances.
KEV Information
CVSS Score
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:HOpen in CalculatorAffected Products
| Vendor | Product | Version |
|---|---|---|
| citrix | netscaler sd-wan | >= 10.0.0, < 10.0.8 |
| citrix | sd-wan | >= 10.2.0, < 10.2.3 |
Multiple CVSS Assessments
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
References
- http://packetstormsecurity.com/files/153638/Citrix-SD-WAN-Appliance-10.2.2-Authentication-Bypass-Remote-Command-Execution.html(Exploit, Third Party Advisory, VDB Entry)
- http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/109133(Broken Link, Third Party Advisory, VDB Entry)
- https://support.citrix.com/article/CTX251987(Vendor Advisory)
- https://www.tenable.com/security/research/tra-2019-32(Exploit, Third Party Advisory)
- https://www.cisa.gov/known-exploited-vulnerabilities-catalog?field_cve=CVE-2019-12989(US Government Resource)
Weakness Type
CWE-89: Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an SQL Command (SQL Injection)
CVE-2019-12989 is classified under CWE-89, which describes vulnerabilities where user-supplied input is incorporated into SQL statements without proper sanitization or parameterization. The Citrix SD-WAN management interface fails to adequately neutralize special SQL characters in user input, enabling attackers to alter the intended SQL query logic and interact directly with the backend database.
Learn more: CWE-89 — Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an SQL Command
Impact Analysis
CVE-2019-12989 allows attackers to perform SQL injection attacks against the Citrix SD-WAN management interface database. Successful exploitation can lead to extraction of sensitive data stored in the database, including administrator credentials and session tokens, modification or deletion of database records affecting device configuration, potential authentication bypass by manipulating authentication queries, and in some configurations, escalation to operating system command execution through database-specific features. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it can be chained with CVE-2019-12991 (command injection) to achieve full system compromise. The EPSS score of 20.1% indicates significant exploitation risk.
Exploit Maturity
CVE-2019-12989 has been confirmed as actively exploited in the wild by CISA. SQL injection is one of the most well-understood and tooled attack techniques, with automated tools like sqlmap capable of exploiting such vulnerabilities with minimal manual effort. The vulnerability is often used as a stepping stone to enable further exploitation, particularly when chained with command injection vulnerabilities like CVE-2019-12991. With an EPSS score of 20.1% (96.2nd percentile), exploitation remains a significant risk.
Remediation
- Apply Citrix security patches: Install the latest firmware updates from Citrix that address CVE-2019-12989, following the vendor's security bulletin.
- Restrict management interface access: Limit access to the SD-WAN management interface to trusted administrator networks only.
- Deploy a Web Application Firewall: Implement WAF rules to detect and block SQL injection patterns targeting the SD-WAN management interface.
- Enable database query logging: Configure comprehensive database query logging to detect SQL injection attempts and successful exploitation.
- Rotate credentials: Change all administrator passwords and database credentials after patching, as they may have been compromised through SQL injection.
Technical Details
CVE-2019-12989 is a SQL injection vulnerability in the web-based management interface of Citrix SD-WAN (formerly NetScaler SD-WAN) appliances. The vulnerability exists because certain input parameters in the management interface are concatenated directly into SQL queries without proper sanitization, parameterization, or use of prepared statements. An attacker can inject SQL syntax into these parameters to alter the query logic, extract data from the database, or modify database records. The vulnerability can potentially be exploited without authentication depending on the specific affected endpoint. SQL injection in network appliance management interfaces is particularly dangerous because the database often contains device configuration, credentials, and sensitive network topology information.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is CVE-2019-12989 being actively exploited?
Yes. CISA has confirmed active exploitation of CVE-2019-12989 and added it to the Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog. SQL injection tools can automate exploitation, and the vulnerability is often chained with CVE-2019-12991.
What products are affected by CVE-2019-12989?
CVE-2019-12989 affects Citrix SD-WAN and NetScaler SD-WAN appliances. These are enterprise network infrastructure devices used for managing and optimizing wide-area network connectivity.
How do I fix CVE-2019-12989?
Apply the latest firmware patches from Citrix that address CVE-2019-12989. Restrict management interface access to trusted networks and deploy WAF rules to detect SQL injection attempts.
How severe is CVE-2019-12989?
CVE-2019-12989 is a significant SQL injection vulnerability that can lead to data exposure, authentication bypass, and when chained with CVE-2019-12991, full system compromise of critical network infrastructure.
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