CVE-2015-4043 in ESP HR Management
Summary
by MITRE
SQL injection vulnerability in ConnX ESP HR Management 4.4.0 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via the ctl00$cphMainContent$txtUserName parameter to frmLogin.aspx.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/20/2020
The CVE-2015-4043 vulnerability represents a critical sql injection flaw in ConnX ESP HR Management version 4.4.0 that exposes the application to remote code execution through improper input validation. This vulnerability specifically targets the login authentication mechanism where user credentials are processed through the frmLogin.aspx page. The attack vector exploits the ctl00$cphMainContent$txtUserName parameter which fails to properly sanitize user input before incorporating it into sql query constructs. The vulnerability classification aligns with CWE-89 which defines improper neutralization of special elements used in sql commands, making it a classic sql injection attack surface.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from the application's failure to employ parameterized queries or proper input sanitization mechanisms when processing user-supplied data. When an attacker submits malicious sql payload through the txtUserName field, the application directly concatenates this input into sql statements without adequate validation or escaping. This creates an environment where sql commands can be injected and executed with the privileges of the database user account under which the application operates. The vulnerability enables attackers to perform unauthorized data access, modification, or deletion operations, potentially leading to complete system compromise.
The operational impact of CVE-2015-4043 extends beyond simple data theft to encompass full system exploitation capabilities. Remote attackers can leverage this vulnerability to extract sensitive employee information, manipulate payroll records, access confidential human resources data, and potentially escalate privileges within the database environment. The attack requires no special privileges or access to the target system beyond network connectivity to the web application, making it particularly dangerous. The vulnerability affects the authentication and authorization mechanisms of the HR management system, potentially allowing unauthorized access to critical business data and undermining the organization's security posture.
Organizations affected by this vulnerability should implement immediate mitigations including input validation, parameterized queries, and web application firewalls to prevent sql injection attacks. The recommended remediation approach involves updating the application to a patched version that properly sanitizes all user inputs and employs prepared statements for database interactions. Security controls should also include regular vulnerability assessments, input validation testing, and monitoring for suspicious database access patterns. This vulnerability demonstrates the importance of following secure coding practices and adheres to ATT&CK technique T1190 which describes exploitation of vulnerabilities in web applications through sql injection attacks. The incident highlights the necessity of implementing defense-in-depth strategies and maintaining current security patches to protect against known vulnerabilities in enterprise applications.