CVE-2024-10500 Overview
CVE-2024-10500 is a SQL injection vulnerability in ESAFENET CDG 5, a data protection product from the Chinese vendor Esafenet. The flaw resides in the /com/esafenet/servlet/policy/HookWhiteListService.java component, where the policyId parameter is passed to a database query without proper sanitization. An authenticated remote attacker can manipulate this parameter to inject arbitrary SQL statements. The vendor was contacted about this disclosure but did not respond, and no official patch is available at the time of writing.
Critical Impact
Remote attackers with low-privilege access can inject SQL to read, modify, or exfiltrate policy and configuration data managed by ESAFENET CDG 5.
Affected Products
- ESAFENET CDG 5
- Component: HookWhiteListService.java under /com/esafenet/servlet/policy/
- Parameter: policyId
Discovery Timeline
- 2024-10-30 - CVE-2024-10500 published to NVD
- 2026-06-17 - Last updated in NVD database
Technical Details for CVE-2024-10500
Vulnerability Analysis
The vulnerability is a classic SQL injection [CWE-89] in the HookWhiteListService servlet of ESAFENET CDG 5. The servlet accepts a policyId request parameter and incorporates its value directly into a SQL query executed against the backend database. Because the value is concatenated rather than bound as a parameter, an attacker can terminate the intended query and append attacker-controlled SQL clauses.
Successful injection allows the attacker to read arbitrary rows from application tables, alter records, or enumerate database metadata. Given that ESAFENET CDG is a data protection and document-control product, compromised policy tables can undermine the confidentiality and integrity controls the product enforces.
Root Cause
The root cause is improper neutralization of special elements used in a SQL command. The servlet builds SQL statements through string concatenation using the untrusted policyId HTTP parameter. No prepared statements, parameter binding, or input validation is applied before the value reaches the database driver.
Attack Vector
Exploitation occurs over the network against the servlet endpoint. The attacker submits a crafted HTTP request in which the policyId parameter contains SQL syntax such as boolean-based, union-based, or time-based payloads. According to the CVSS 4.0 vector, low privileges are required, no user interaction is needed, and the impact spans confidentiality, integrity, and availability of the vulnerable component.
No verified proof-of-concept code has been published in reputable exploit databases. Technical write-up details are referenced in the VulDB Advisory #282440 and a Flowus Shared Document.
Detection Methods for CVE-2024-10500
Indicators of Compromise
- HTTP requests to HookWhiteListService endpoints containing SQL metacharacters such as ', --, UNION, SLEEP(, or OR 1=1 in the policyId parameter.
- Web application server logs showing unusually long or URL-encoded policyId values from a single client.
- Database logs recording syntax errors, unexpected UNION SELECT queries, or long-running queries traceable to the ESAFENET CDG application user.
Detection Strategies
- Deploy a web application firewall (WAF) rule that inspects requests to /com/esafenet/servlet/policy/* and blocks SQL metacharacters in the policyId parameter.
- Enable database audit logging on the ESAFENET CDG schema and alert on queries that reference information_schema, sysobjects, or contain time-delay functions.
- Correlate authentication events with anomalous query volume from the CDG application account to identify credentialed abuse.
Monitoring Recommendations
- Baseline normal policyId parameter values (typically numeric) and alert on non-numeric or excessively long input.
- Monitor egress traffic from the CDG database host for unexpected outbound connections that could indicate data exfiltration.
- Review scheduled database jobs and stored procedures for unauthorized changes following any suspected exploitation attempt.
How to Mitigate CVE-2024-10500
Immediate Actions Required
- Restrict network access to the ESAFENET CDG management interface using firewall rules or a VPN, limiting exposure to trusted administrators only.
- Rotate credentials for the database account used by the CDG application and enforce least-privilege permissions on that account.
- Deploy WAF signatures that block SQL injection patterns targeting the policyId parameter until an official patch is released.
Patch Information
No vendor patch is available. The vendor was contacted about this disclosure but did not respond, according to the VulDB Entry #282440. Organizations should track vendor communications for future security updates and consider compensating controls in the interim.
Workarounds
- Place the ESAFENET CDG application behind a reverse proxy or WAF that enforces strict input validation on the policyId parameter, allowing only numeric values.
- Revoke DDL and cross-schema privileges from the database account used by the CDG application to limit the blast radius of any successful injection.
- Disable or restrict access to the HookWhiteListService endpoint if the associated hook whitelist functionality is not required in your deployment.
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
