CVE-2022-32011 in Complete Online Job Search System
Summary
by MITRE • 06/02/2022
Complete Online Job Search System v1.0 is vulnerable to SQL Injection via /eris/admin/applicants/index.php?view=view&id=.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/05/2022
The Complete Online Job Search System version 1.0 presents a critical security vulnerability through its administrative interface that allows unauthorized users to execute malicious sql commands. This flaw exists within the applicants management module at the specific endpoint /eris/admin/applicants/index.php?view=view&id= where user input is improperly validated and directly incorporated into database queries without adequate sanitization or parameterization. The vulnerability stems from the application's failure to implement proper input validation mechanisms, creating an environment where malicious actors can manipulate the id parameter to inject arbitrary sql code that executes with the privileges of the database user. This represents a classic sql injection vulnerability that falls under the common weakness enumeration CWE-89, which specifically addresses improper neutralization of special elements used in sql commands.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft or modification, as it provides attackers with the potential to escalate privileges and gain complete control over the underlying database system. An attacker exploiting this vulnerability can extract sensitive information including user credentials, personal identification details, job application data, and potentially system configuration information. The attack vector is particularly concerning because it targets the administrative interface of the job search platform, which typically contains the most sensitive data and administrative controls. This vulnerability aligns with attack techniques documented in the attack tree framework where adversaries can leverage sql injection to achieve persistent access and data exfiltration.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability demonstrates poor secure coding practices and inadequate input sanitization controls within the application's backend processing logic. When the system receives the id parameter through the url, it fails to implement proper parameterized queries or input filtering mechanisms that would prevent malicious sql code from being executed. This vulnerability represents a fundamental flaw in the application's data handling procedures and reflects a lack of adherence to secure programming guidelines. Organizations implementing such systems should consider this vulnerability in the context of the attack mitigation strategies outlined in the mitre attack framework, particularly focusing on preventing initial access through input validation and implementing proper database access controls.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability must include immediate implementation of parameterized queries or prepared statements to ensure that user input cannot be interpreted as sql commands. The application should also implement comprehensive input validation and sanitization routines that filter out potentially malicious characters and patterns before processing user data. Additionally, organizations should establish proper database access controls and privilege management to limit the potential impact of successful exploitation attempts. Regular security assessments and code reviews should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities within the application's codebase, particularly focusing on areas where user input directly influences database operations. The implementation of web application firewalls and intrusion detection systems can provide additional layers of protection, though these should not replace proper code-level security measures. Organizations should also consider implementing automated security testing tools during development cycles to identify sql injection vulnerabilities before deployment, as this particular flaw could have been prevented through proper security testing and code review processes.