CVE-2022-32018 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=hiring&search=.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/05/2022
The Complete Online Job Search System version 1.0 contains a critical SQL injection vulnerability that affects the application's search functionality. This vulnerability exists in the parameter handling mechanism of the index.php script where the q=hiring&search= parameters are processed without proper input sanitization or validation. The flaw allows malicious actors to inject arbitrary SQL commands into the database query execution flow, potentially compromising the entire backend database infrastructure.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from improper parameter binding and input validation within the web application's database interaction layer. When users submit search queries through the hiring section, the application directly incorporates user-supplied input into SQL statements without adequate escaping or parameterization. This design flaw aligns with CWE-89 which specifically addresses SQL injection vulnerabilities where untrusted data is concatenated into SQL commands. The vulnerability occurs at the application layer where user input is not properly filtered or escaped before being executed against the database engine.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft, as it provides attackers with extensive control over the database backend. Successful exploitation could enable attackers to extract sensitive information including user credentials, job listings, company data, and potentially administrative access to the system. The vulnerability creates opportunities for data manipulation, denial of service attacks, and privilege escalation within the application's database environment. According to ATT&CK framework category T1190, this represents a database compromise technique that allows adversaries to access and manipulate stored data through injection attacks.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on implementing proper input validation and parameterized queries throughout the application codebase. The recommended approach involves replacing direct string concatenation with prepared statements or parameterized queries that separate SQL command structure from user data. Additionally, implementing proper input sanitization, output encoding, and least privilege database user permissions can significantly reduce the attack surface. Security headers and web application firewalls should also be deployed to detect and block malicious SQL injection attempts. Regular security testing including automated vulnerability scanning and manual penetration testing should be conducted to identify and remediate similar issues across the entire application stack. The fix must ensure that all user-supplied inputs are properly validated against expected data formats and that database access is restricted to only necessary operations through properly configured database accounts.