Summary
Helical Insight through version 7.0.0 contains a SQL injection vulnerability in the report execution endpoint. An authenticated viewer may manipulate unescaped numeric or string report parameters to bypass SQL detection, potentially reading unintended tables or modifying data in the report's data source.
Helical Insight through version 7.0.0 contains a SQL injection vulnerability in the report execution endpoint. An authenticated viewer may manipulate unescaped numeric or string report parameters to bypass SQL detection, potentially reading unintended tables or modifying data in the report's data source.
Affected context
The vulnerability occurs in Helical Insight report execution workflows that send user-controlled parameter values to /executeDatasource. Risk is present when authenticated viewers can supply Numeric or String placeholder values, those values are incorporated into SQL without reliable parameterization, and the application's SQL detection control does not consistently identify injected syntax.
The vulnerability occurs in Helical Insight report execution workflows that send user-controlled parameter values to /executeDatasource. Risk is present when authenticated viewers can supply Numeric or String placeholder values, those values are incorporated into SQL without reliable parameterization, and the application's SQL detection control does not consistently identify injected syntax.
Exploit preconditions
- Attack surface: The
/executeDatasourcereport execution endpoint - Required access: A valid authenticated account with viewer access to an applicable report
- Trigger point: Processing report parameter values supplied as Numeric or String placeholders
- Why exploitation is possible: Parameter values are not safely separated from SQL expressions, while the existing
SqlDetectguard can be bypassed
- Attack surface: The
/executeDatasourcereport execution endpoint - Required access: A valid authenticated account with viewer access to an applicable report
- Trigger point: Processing report parameter values supplied as Numeric or String placeholders
- Why exploitation is possible: Parameter values are not safely separated from SQL expressions, while the existing
SqlDetectguard can be bypassed
Why this happens
The underlying flaw is the construction or execution of database queries using unescaped user-controlled report parameters. Treating those values as trusted SQL fragments allows input to alter query structure rather than remain limited to data values. This behavior maps to CWE-89: Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an SQL Command ('SQL Injection'). Detection filters alone are not a reliable substitute for parameterized query APIs and strict type enforcement.
The underlying flaw is the construction or execution of database queries using unescaped user-controlled report parameters. Treating those values as trusted SQL fragments allows input to alter query structure rather than remain limited to data values. This behavior maps to CWE-89: Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an SQL Command ('SQL Injection'). Detection filters alone are not a reliable substitute for parameterized query APIs and strict type enforcement.
Potential impact
- An attacker may read data from tables that the report was not intended to expose.
- An attacker could modify or corrupt records in the report's data source.
- Confidentiality and integrity of connected database information may be reduced.
- A compromised reporting account may be used to access data beyond its intended business scope.
- An attacker may read data from tables that the report was not intended to expose.
- An attacker could modify or corrupt records in the report's data source.
- Confidentiality and integrity of connected database information may be reduced.
- A compromised reporting account may be used to access data beyond its intended business scope.
General mitigation guidance
Mitigation generally focuses on eliminating the connection between user input and SQL structure.
Common defensive patterns include:
- Use parameterized queries or prepared statements for every report parameter.
- Enforce strict server-side typing and allowlists for Numeric and String parameters.
- Avoid assembling SQL fragments through string concatenation or relying only on blacklist-based SQL detection.
- Apply least-privilege database accounts that cannot modify data unless the report requires it.
- Limit report viewers to the minimum data sources, schemas, and operations necessary.
- Validate authorization at the report, parameter, and data-source levels.
Mitigation generally focuses on eliminating the connection between user input and SQL structure.
Common defensive patterns include:
- Use parameterized queries or prepared statements for every report parameter.
- Enforce strict server-side typing and allowlists for Numeric and String parameters.
- Avoid assembling SQL fragments through string concatenation or relying only on blacklist-based SQL detection.
- Apply least-privilege database accounts that cannot modify data unless the report requires it.
- Limit report viewers to the minimum data sources, schemas, and operations necessary.
- Validate authorization at the report, parameter, and data-source levels.
How teams detect issues like this
Organizations can look for this weakness through:
- Static analysis rules identifying SQL construction that concatenates request or report parameters.
- Code review checks for database calls that accept raw strings instead of bound parameters.
- Tests using type-confusion and metacharacter inputs to verify that parameter values remain data.
- Database audit logging for unexpected reads, updates, schema access, or query patterns from reporting accounts.
- Policy enforcement requiring prepared statements, server-side validation, and least-privilege data-source identities.
- Neutral automated security and code-review tools that flag unparameterized query construction.
Organizations can look for this weakness through:
- Static analysis rules identifying SQL construction that concatenates request or report parameters.
- Code review checks for database calls that accept raw strings instead of bound parameters.
- Tests using type-confusion and metacharacter inputs to verify that parameter values remain data.
- Database audit logging for unexpected reads, updates, schema access, or query patterns from reporting accounts.
- Policy enforcement requiring prepared statements, server-side validation, and least-privilege data-source identities.
- Neutral automated security and code-review tools that flag unparameterized query construction.
