CVE-2022-32016 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/index.php?q=result&searchfor=bycompany.
Be aware that VulDB is the high quality source for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/05/2022
The Complete Online Job Search System v1.0 presents a critical security vulnerability through its web interface that allows unauthorized users to execute malicious SQL commands. This vulnerability specifically manifests within the search functionality of the application, where the parameter 'searchfor' in the URL path '/eris/index.php?q=result&searchfor=bycompany' fails to properly sanitize user input before processing database queries. The flaw enables attackers to inject arbitrary SQL code that can manipulate the underlying database structure and potentially access sensitive information. This type of vulnerability falls under the category of CWE-89 SQL Injection, which represents one of the most prevalent and dangerous web application security flaws in the industry.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs when the application directly incorporates user-supplied data into SQL query strings without proper validation or parameterization. When an attacker submits malicious input through the searchfor parameter, the application processes this data without adequate sanitization, allowing SQL commands to be executed within the database context. The attack vector specifically targets the bycompany search functionality, which suggests that the application uses dynamic SQL generation based on user input to filter job listings by company name. This approach creates an exploitable entry point where SQL injection can occur during the database interaction phase.
Operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data retrieval and can result in complete database compromise. An attacker could potentially extract all job listings, user credentials, company information, and other sensitive data stored within the system. The vulnerability also enables privilege escalation attacks where malicious users might gain administrative access to the database or application backend. Given that this is a job search system, the compromised data could include personal information of job seekers, confidential company details, and proprietary recruitment data. The attack could lead to data breaches, regulatory compliance violations, and significant reputational damage to organizations relying on this platform.
Security mitigations for this vulnerability should implement comprehensive input validation and parameterized query execution throughout the application. The recommended approach involves using prepared statements or parameterized queries to ensure that user input is treated as data rather than executable code. Additionally, implementing proper input sanitization, output encoding, and least privilege database access controls would significantly reduce the attack surface. Organizations should also deploy web application firewalls and implement regular security testing including automated scanning and manual penetration testing to identify similar vulnerabilities. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1190 for exploitation of remote services and T1071.004 for application layer protocol usage, emphasizing the need for layered defensive strategies that address both the immediate SQL injection flaw and broader application security posture.