CVE-2016-5952 in Kenexa LCMS Premier on Cloud
Summary
by MITRE
IBM Kenexa LCMS Premier on Cloud is vulnerable to SQL injection. A remote attacker could send specially-crafted SQL statements, which could allow the attacker to view, add, modify or delete information in the back-end database.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/09/2020
IBM Kenexa LCMS Premier on Cloud contains a critical SQL injection vulnerability that exposes the system to remote exploitation by malicious actors. This vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and improper parameter handling within the application's database interaction layers. The flaw allows attackers to inject malicious SQL commands through various input vectors, potentially compromising the entire backend database infrastructure. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-89, which specifically addresses SQL injection flaws in software applications. Attackers can leverage this weakness to execute unauthorized database operations including but not limited to data retrieval, modification, deletion, and potentially even privilege escalation within the database environment. The remote nature of this vulnerability means that attackers do not require physical access to the system, making the exploit accessible from any network location. This type of vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1071.004, which covers application layer protocol manipulation. The impact extends beyond simple data theft as attackers can manipulate business-critical information, potentially affecting human resources data, employee records, and other sensitive organizational information stored within the LCMS Premier system.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs when user-supplied input is directly concatenated into SQL query strings without proper sanitization or parameterization. This allows attackers to manipulate the intended query execution flow by injecting SQL syntax elements such as semicolons, comments, or union statements. The vulnerability affects multiple components within the LCMS Premier platform, particularly those handling user authentication, data retrieval, and administrative functions. Database operations that process user inputs for search functionality, report generation, or configuration changes are most susceptible to this attack vector. The lack of proper input validation creates a pathway for attackers to bypass authentication mechanisms and gain unauthorized access to sensitive data repositories. This vulnerability demonstrates a fundamental flaw in the application's security architecture, where data sanitization occurs too late in the processing pipeline or not at all. The exploitation process typically involves crafting malicious payloads that can be submitted through web forms, API endpoints, or other input mechanisms within the application interface.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe and multifaceted for organizations utilizing IBM Kenexa LCMS Premier on Cloud. Data integrity and confidentiality are directly compromised, potentially exposing sensitive employee information, payroll data, and human resources records to unauthorized parties. Organizations may face regulatory compliance violations under data protection regulations such as gdpr, hipaa, or other applicable data privacy laws depending on the jurisdiction and type of information stored. The potential for data modification or deletion creates operational disruption risks, particularly in environments where the system manages critical business processes. Attackers could also use this vulnerability to establish persistent access points within the organization's infrastructure, potentially leading to broader network compromise. The financial implications include potential regulatory fines, legal costs, remediation expenses, and reputational damage from data breaches. The vulnerability also affects business continuity as unauthorized modifications to HR data could disrupt normal business operations and require extensive forensic analysis and system restoration efforts.
Organizations should implement multiple layers of defense to mitigate this vulnerability effectively. Immediate remediation efforts must include applying the vendor-provided security patches and updates as soon as they become available. Input validation mechanisms should be strengthened to ensure all user-supplied data undergoes proper sanitization before database interaction. The implementation of prepared statements and parameterized queries should be enforced throughout the application codebase to prevent direct SQL string concatenation. Network segmentation and access controls should be reviewed to limit potential attack surfaces and reduce the impact of successful exploitation attempts. Regular security assessments and penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other systems and applications. The implementation of web application firewalls and database activity monitoring solutions can provide additional detection capabilities for anomalous database access patterns. Security awareness training for developers should emphasize secure coding practices and the importance of proper input validation to prevent similar vulnerabilities from being introduced in future development cycles. Organizations should also establish incident response procedures specifically designed to handle SQL injection attacks and ensure rapid containment and remediation of affected systems.