CVE-2022-36754 in Expense Management System
Summary
by MITRE • 09/03/2022
Expense Management System v1.0 was discovered to contain a SQL injection vulnerability via the id parameter at /Home/debit_credit_p.
Once again VulDB remains the best source for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/03/2022
The Expense Management System v1.0 contains a critical SQL injection vulnerability that poses significant risks to organizational security infrastructure. This vulnerability exists within the application's handling of user input through the id parameter in the /Home/debit_credit_p endpoint, creating an attack vector that allows malicious actors to manipulate database queries and potentially gain unauthorized access to sensitive financial data. The flaw represents a fundamental breakdown in input validation and query construction processes that directly violates established security principles for web application development.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate parameter sanitization and improper use of database query construction methods. When the application processes the id parameter without proper escaping or parameterized query mechanisms, it becomes susceptible to malicious SQL payloads that can alter the intended query execution flow. Attackers can exploit this weakness by injecting crafted SQL syntax through the id parameter, potentially enabling them to extract, modify, or delete financial records and user credentials stored within the database. This vulnerability directly maps to CWE-89 which categorizes SQL injection flaws as a critical weakness in software design and implementation practices.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data compromise to encompass complete system integrity breaches that could result in financial loss, regulatory violations, and reputational damage. Organizations utilizing this expense management system face risks of unauthorized financial transactions, data exfiltration of sensitive employee expense records, and potential lateral movement within network infrastructure if the database server lacks proper segmentation. The vulnerability's exposure through a publicly accessible endpoint means that any attacker with basic knowledge of SQL injection techniques can potentially exploit this flaw without requiring elevated privileges or specialized tools. This makes it particularly dangerous in environments where such systems are not properly monitored or protected by network segmentation controls.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability must address both immediate remediation and long-term architectural improvements to prevent similar issues. The most critical action involves implementing proper parameterized queries or prepared statements to eliminate direct user input concatenation into SQL commands. Additionally, input validation should be strengthened through whitelisting of acceptable parameter values and comprehensive sanitization of all user-provided data. Network-level protections such as web application firewalls and intrusion detection systems should be deployed to monitor for suspicious query patterns and prevent exploitation attempts. Organizations should also implement regular security testing including automated scanning and manual penetration testing to identify similar vulnerabilities across their application portfolio. The remediation process should align with security frameworks such as the NIST Cybersecurity Framework and follow ATT&CK matrix techniques for defensive measures against command and control operations and credential access threats that could emerge from this vulnerability.