CVE-2022-3473 in Human Resource Management System
Summary
by MITRE • 10/13/2022
A vulnerability classified as critical has been found in SourceCodester Human Resource Management System. This affects an unknown part of the file getstatecity.php. The manipulation of the argument ci leads to sql injection. It is possible to initiate the attack remotely. The exploit has been disclosed to the public and may be used. The identifier VDB-210717 was assigned to this vulnerability.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/07/2022
The CVE-2022-3473 vulnerability represents a critical sql injection flaw within the SourceCodester Human Resource Management System that poses significant security risks to organizations utilizing this software. This vulnerability specifically targets the getstatecity.php file where improper input validation allows attackers to manipulate the ci parameter, creating a pathway for malicious sql injection attacks. The vulnerability's classification as critical indicates its potential for severe impact, including unauthorized data access, data corruption, and possible system compromise. The fact that this vulnerability can be exploited remotely means that attackers do not require physical access to the system, significantly expanding the attack surface and making the vulnerability particularly dangerous in networked environments.
The technical execution of this vulnerability involves the ci parameter within the getstatecity.php file serving as the injection vector for sql commands. When user input is directly incorporated into sql queries without proper sanitization or parameterization, attackers can manipulate the parameter to execute arbitrary sql commands against the underlying database. This type of vulnerability falls under CWE-89 which specifically addresses sql injection flaws where untrusted data is used in sql contexts. The remote exploitation capability means that attackers can leverage this vulnerability through web interfaces, making it accessible to anyone with network access to the affected system. The public disclosure of the exploit further amplifies the risk as it provides attackers with ready-made tools and techniques for exploitation.
The operational impact of CVE-2022-3473 extends beyond simple data theft to encompass complete system compromise and potential business disruption. Organizations using the affected Human Resource Management System face risks of unauthorized access to sensitive employee data, payroll information, and other confidential personnel records. The vulnerability's ability to facilitate remote exploitation means that attackers can potentially gain persistent access to the system, allowing for extended periods of unauthorized activity. According to ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability maps to T1190 - Exploit Public-Facing Application which describes techniques used to exploit applications accessible from external networks. The attack could lead to data exfiltration, system reconnaissance, and potentially lateral movement within the network if the system has access to other internal resources.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should prioritize immediate patching and remediation efforts to address the sql injection flaw in the getstatecity.php file. Organizations must implement proper input validation and parameterization techniques to prevent sql injection attacks, ensuring that all user inputs are properly sanitized before being processed by database queries. The implementation of web application firewalls and intrusion detection systems can provide additional layers of protection while patches are being deployed. Security monitoring should be enhanced to detect suspicious database queries and unusual network activity that might indicate exploitation attempts. Regular security assessments and penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities within the application codebase. Organizations should also consider implementing least privilege principles for database access and establishing proper access controls to minimize the potential damage from successful exploitation attempts. The vulnerability's public disclosure status requires immediate action to prevent widespread exploitation across affected systems.