CVE-2011-5259 in OrangeHRM
Summary
by MITRE
SQL injection vulnerability in lib/controllers/CentralController.php in OrangeHRM before 2.6.11.2 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via the id parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/29/2024
The CVE-2011-5259 vulnerability represents a critical sql injection flaw in the OrangeHRM human resources management system that affected versions prior to 2.6.11.2. This vulnerability resides within the CentralController.php file and specifically targets the id parameter handling, creating a pathway for remote attackers to execute arbitrary sql commands against the underlying database. The flaw demonstrates a classic input validation failure where user-supplied data is directly incorporated into sql query construction without proper sanitization or parameterization. This vulnerability type falls under the common weakness enumeration CWE-89 which defines sql injection as the insertion of malicious sql code into input fields for execution by the database engine. The attack vector is particularly concerning as it enables remote code execution without requiring authentication, making it highly exploitable in network environments where OrangeHRM is accessible to unauthenticated users.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when an attacker crafts a malicious payload containing sql injection characters and constructs an id parameter that bypasses normal input validation. When the application processes this parameter in the CentralController.php file, the unsanitized input gets directly embedded into sql queries, allowing attackers to manipulate database operations including data retrieval, modification, deletion, and potentially system-level commands depending on database permissions. The vulnerability's impact extends beyond simple data theft as it can lead to complete database compromise, unauthorized access to employee records, payroll information, and other sensitive human resources data that OrangeHRM typically manages. This type of vulnerability aligns with the attack pattern described in the mitre attack framework under technique T1071.004 for application layer protocol tunneling and T1190 for exploit for information disclosure.
The operational implications of CVE-2011-5259 are severe for organizations relying on OrangeHRM for their human resources management. A successful exploitation could result in unauthorized access to sensitive employee information including personal identification details, salary records, performance evaluations, and other confidential data that organizations are legally obligated to protect. The vulnerability also poses significant compliance risks as it could lead to violations of data protection regulations such as gdpr, hipaa, or other privacy frameworks that mandate proper data handling and security controls. Organizations may face financial penalties, legal consequences, and reputational damage from data breaches resulting from this vulnerability. The attack surface is particularly broad as OrangeHRM installations are often deployed in enterprise environments where database access is frequently exposed to network traffic, making the system susceptible to automated scanning and exploitation by threat actors. This vulnerability type specifically maps to the attack tactic TA0006 in the attack framework which focuses on credential access and data theft.
Organizations should immediately implement comprehensive mitigation strategies to address this vulnerability. The primary remediation involves upgrading to OrangeHRM version 2.6.11.2 or later, which includes proper input validation and parameterized query handling to prevent sql injection attacks. Additionally, implementing proper input sanitization measures including parameterized queries, stored procedures, and proper escape sequence handling should be enforced throughout the application codebase. Network-level protections such as web application firewalls and intrusion detection systems can provide additional defense in depth. Regular security assessments including automated scanning and manual penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other application components. The vulnerability also underscores the importance of following secure coding practices and implementing proper input validation as outlined in the owasp top ten security risks. Organizations should establish incident response procedures to quickly address potential exploitation attempts and maintain detailed audit logs for forensic analysis. System administrators should also consider implementing database activity monitoring and access controls to limit potential damage from successful attacks. The remediation process should include thorough testing to ensure that the upgrade does not introduce compatibility issues with existing workflows or integrations within the hr management system.