CVE-2016-9993 in Kenexa LCMS Premier on Cloud
Summary
by MITRE
IBM Kenexa LCMS Premier on Cloud 9.0, and 10.0.0 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. IBM Reference #: 1992067.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/03/2020
IBM Kenexa LCMS Premier on Cloud versions 9.0 and 10.0.0 contain a critical sql injection vulnerability that exposes the backend database to unauthorized access. This vulnerability allows remote attackers to execute malicious sql commands through crafted input parameters, potentially leading to complete database compromise. The flaw exists in the application's handling of user input within database queries, where insufficient input validation and sanitization permits malicious sql code to be executed directly against the database backend.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from improper parameter handling within the application's database interaction layer. When user-supplied data is directly concatenated into sql queries without proper escaping or parameterization, attackers can manipulate the intended query structure. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-89 which specifically addresses sql injection flaws where untrusted data is incorporated into sql commands. The attack vector is particularly dangerous as it requires no authentication to exploit, making it a remote code execution threat that can be leveraged from any network location.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe and multifaceted. An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability could gain read access to sensitive employee data, including personal information, performance records, and other confidential corporate data stored within the database. The ability to modify or delete data introduces additional risks including data integrity compromise, potential denial of service through database corruption, and the possibility of establishing persistent access points within the organization's infrastructure. This vulnerability particularly affects human resources management systems where the data sensitivity is extremely high, making it an attractive target for both financial gain and corporate espionage.
Organizations utilizing these affected versions should immediately implement mitigations including applying the vendor-provided security patches and updates. Network segmentation and database access controls should be strengthened to limit exposure even if the vulnerability is not immediately exploited. The implementation of web application firewalls and input validation mechanisms can provide additional protection layers. From an att&ck framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to techniques such as t1190 for exploit public-facing applications and t1071.004 for application layer protocol usage, highlighting the need for comprehensive defensive measures across multiple attack surface areas. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to identify similar weaknesses in related systems and prevent similar incidents from occurring in the broader organizational infrastructure.