CVE-2024-6632: Fortra FileCatalyst Workflow SQLi Vulnerability

CVE-2024-6632 Overview

CVE-2024-6632 is a SQL injection vulnerability in Fortra FileCatalyst Workflow. A field accessible to the super admin accepts unsanitized input that is passed into a database query. An authenticated attacker with super admin privileges can inject SQL statements to read, modify, or destroy backend database contents. The flaw is classified under CWE-89 (Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an SQL Command).

Critical Impact
Successful exploitation results in a loss of confidentiality, integrity, and availability of the FileCatalyst Workflow database, exposing transferred files, user credentials, and workflow metadata.

Affected Products

Fortra FileCatalyst Workflow (versions prior to the vendor-provided fix)
Deployments where the super admin account is exposed to the network
Managed file transfer environments relying on FileCatalyst Workflow for regulated data movement

Discovery Timeline

2024-08-27 - CVE-2024-6632 published to NVD
2026-06-17 - Last updated in NVD database

Technical Details for CVE-2024-6632

Vulnerability Analysis

The vulnerability resides in an administrative field within FileCatalyst Workflow that is reachable by the super admin role. Input supplied to this field flows into a SQL query without proper parameterization or neutralization of special characters. An attacker who holds or acquires super admin credentials can supply crafted SQL syntax that alters the query semantics.

Because the injection occurs in a privileged context, the resulting query executes with the database service account's permissions. This typically allows extraction of arbitrary tables, modification of workflow records, and destructive operations against the schema. The Fortra Security Advisory FI-2024-010 confirms the field-level input handling deficiency.

Root Cause

The root cause is improper neutralization of special elements used in a SQL command. The affected input field concatenates user-controlled data into SQL statements rather than binding values through prepared statements. This design allows attacker-controlled tokens such as quotes, semicolons, and comment markers to break out of the intended query structure.

Attack Vector

Exploitation requires network access to the FileCatalyst Workflow administrative interface and possession of super admin credentials. The attacker submits crafted input through the vulnerable field, which the backend passes to the database engine. No user interaction is required, and the attack complexity is low once privileged access is established.

The primary exploitation scenarios include an insider abusing legitimate super admin access, an attacker leveraging stolen or default administrator credentials, or a chained attack that first escalates to super admin through a separate flaw. See the Fortra Security Advisory FI-2024-010 for vendor guidance.

Detection Methods for CVE-2024-6632

Indicators of Compromise

Unexpected super admin sessions originating from unfamiliar source IP addresses or geolocations.
Database audit log entries containing SQL metacharacters such as ', --, ;, or UNION SELECT within administrative field values.
Unusual outbound traffic from the FileCatalyst Workflow database host following an administrative session.
Modifications to user tables, workflow definitions, or audit tables that do not correlate with change tickets.

Detection Strategies

Enable and review verbose query logging on the database backing FileCatalyst Workflow, filtering for administrative endpoints.
Correlate application access logs with database query logs to identify super admin actions that produced anomalous SQL.
Alert on any super admin authentication event outside of documented change windows or approved administrator sources.

Monitoring Recommendations

Forward FileCatalyst Workflow application and database logs to a centralized SIEM for correlation and retention.
Monitor for privilege changes, new administrative accounts, and password resets on super admin identities.
Track file egress volume from the FileCatalyst host to detect bulk data extraction following exploitation.

How to Mitigate CVE-2024-6632

Immediate Actions Required

Apply the fixed release identified in Fortra Security Advisory FI-2024-010 as soon as possible.
Rotate all super admin credentials and enforce multi-factor authentication on administrative logins.
Audit the super admin role membership and remove accounts that no longer require this level of access.
Review database and application logs for signs of prior exploitation before and after patching.

Patch Information

Fortra has released a security update addressing CVE-2024-6632 in FileCatalyst Workflow. Administrators should consult the Fortra Security Advisory FI-2024-010 for the specific fixed version and upgrade procedure. Upgrading to the patched release is the only complete remediation.

Workarounds

Restrict network access to the FileCatalyst Workflow administrative interface using firewall rules or a VPN allowlist.
Limit super admin logins to dedicated administrative workstations with hardened endpoint controls.
Increase logging verbosity on both the application tier and the database tier until the patch is deployed.

bash

# Configuration example: restrict admin interface to a management subnet
iptables -A INPUT -p tcp --dport 443 -s 10.10.50.0/24 -j ACCEPT
iptables -A INPUT -p tcp --dport 443 -j DROP