CVE-2020-7229 in SJS
Summary
by MITRE
An issue was discovered in Simplejobscript.com SJS before 1.65. There is unauthenticated SQL injection via the search engine. The parameter is landing_location. The function is countSearchedJobs(). The file is _lib/class.Job.php.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/25/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2020-7229 represents a critical security flaw in Simplejobscript.com SJS versions prior to 1.65, specifically affecting the search functionality of the application. This issue manifests as an unauthenticated SQL injection vulnerability that allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands without requiring any valid authentication credentials. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it operates entirely outside the normal authentication boundaries of the application, making it accessible to any internet user who can interact with the search interface.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs within the _lib/class.Job.php file where the countSearchedJobs() function processes user input from the landing_location parameter. This parameter is directly incorporated into SQL query construction without proper input sanitization or parameterization mechanisms. The flaw stems from the application's failure to validate or escape user-supplied input before incorporating it into database queries, creating a classic SQL injection vector. Attackers can manipulate the landing_location parameter to inject malicious SQL syntax that bypasses normal query execution and potentially allows full database access or manipulation.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft or modification. An attacker could potentially extract sensitive information including user credentials, personal data, job listings, or administrative details stored within the application's database. The unauthenticated nature of this vulnerability means that malicious actors do not need to compromise legitimate user accounts or credentials to exploit the system. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-89 which specifically addresses SQL injection flaws, and represents a direct violation of secure coding practices that mandate proper input validation and parameterized queries. The attack surface is further expanded by the fact that this vulnerability affects the core search functionality, which is likely accessed frequently by users.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should immediately focus on implementing proper input validation and parameterized queries within the countSearchedJobs() function. The application developers must ensure that all user-supplied input is properly sanitized or escaped before being incorporated into database queries. The recommended approach involves adopting prepared statements or parameterized queries to separate SQL command structure from data values, thereby preventing malicious input from altering the intended query execution. Additionally, implementing proper access controls and input validation at the application level, combined with regular security audits and penetration testing, would help prevent similar vulnerabilities from emerging in future releases. This vulnerability also highlights the importance of adhering to OWASP Top Ten security principles and implementing proper defensive coding practices as outlined in the ATT&CK framework's defense evasion techniques, particularly those related to command injection and data manipulation.