CVE-2022-42744 in CandidATS
Summary
by MITRE • 11/04/2022
CandidATS version 3.0.0 allows an external attacker to perform CRUD operations on the application databases. This is possible because the application does not correctly validate the entriesPerPage parameter against SQLi attacks.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/05/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2022-42744 affects CandidATS version 3.0.0 and represents a critical security flaw that enables unauthorized external attackers to execute full CRUD operations against the application's underlying database systems. This vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation mechanisms within the application's parameter handling, specifically concerning the entriesPerPage parameter which is susceptible to SQL injection attacks. The flaw creates a direct pathway for attackers to manipulate database queries through malicious input, potentially leading to unauthorized data access, modification, or deletion across the entire application database infrastructure.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability manifests through improper parameter validation where the entriesPerPage parameter fails to undergo adequate sanitization or validation checks before being incorporated into database queries. This allows attackers to inject malicious SQL code that bypasses normal authentication and authorization mechanisms. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-89 which categorizes SQL injection flaws as weaknesses that occur when application code includes user input directly into SQL queries without proper validation or escaping. The attack vector leverages the application's failure to implement proper input filtering, enabling attackers to manipulate the database query structure through crafted payloads that exploit the missing validation controls.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability poses significant risks to data integrity, confidentiality, and availability within the CandidATS application environment. Successful exploitation could result in complete database compromise, allowing attackers to extract sensitive candidate information, modify application data, delete critical records, or even escalate privileges within the database system. The impact extends beyond immediate data loss to potential regulatory compliance violations, as organizations using this software may face penalties for inadequate data protection measures. The vulnerability's accessibility to external attackers without requiring elevated privileges makes it particularly dangerous, as it could be exploited by threat actors with minimal technical expertise.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2022-42744 should prioritize immediate implementation of parameter validation and input sanitization measures. Organizations should deploy proper parameterized queries or prepared statements to prevent SQL injection attacks, ensuring that all user-supplied inputs are properly escaped or validated before database processing. The application should implement strict input validation for the entriesPerPage parameter, rejecting any malformed or suspicious input patterns. Additionally, implementing proper access controls and database query monitoring can help detect and prevent unauthorized database operations. Security measures should align with industry standards including the OWASP Top Ten and NIST cybersecurity frameworks, with regular security testing and code reviews to prevent similar vulnerabilities in future releases. The remediation process should include comprehensive database audit trails and logging mechanisms to track any suspicious activities that may indicate exploitation attempts.