CVE-2022-42750 in CandidATS
Summary
by MITRE • 11/03/2022
CandidATS version 3.0.0 allows an external attacker to steal the cookie of arbitrary users. This is possible because the application does not correctly validate the files uploaded by the user.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/04/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2022-42750 affects CandidATS version 3.0.0 and represents a critical security flaw that enables external attackers to hijack user sessions through cookie theft. This issue stems from inadequate input validation mechanisms within the application's file upload functionality, creating a pathway for malicious actors to manipulate the system's authentication state. The vulnerability operates at the intersection of web application security and session management, where proper validation controls have been bypassed. According to CWE classification, this corresponds to CWE-434 which specifically addresses insecure file upload vulnerabilities where applications fail to properly validate uploaded files. The attack vector leverages the application's insufficient sanitization of user-supplied data during the upload process, allowing an attacker to potentially upload malicious content that can be executed or interpreted by the application's backend systems.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability exploits the application's weak file validation mechanisms by allowing attackers to upload files with potentially malicious extensions or content that can be executed within the application context. When users interact with the system, their session cookies become vulnerable to theft because the application fails to properly validate the integrity and type of files being uploaded. This creates an environment where an attacker can manipulate the application's behavior to extract or manipulate session tokens that are typically protected by standard security mechanisms. The flaw essentially undermines the application's ability to maintain secure session boundaries, as the upload functionality becomes a potential entry point for session hijacking attacks. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it affects arbitrary user sessions rather than being limited to specific user accounts or roles, making it a broad-spectrum threat to user authentication integrity.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability compromises the fundamental security model of the CandidATS application by enabling unauthorized access to user accounts and their associated privileges. An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability can impersonate any user within the system, potentially accessing sensitive recruitment data, candidate information, and administrative functions. The session hijacking capability means that attackers can maintain persistent access to compromised accounts without requiring additional authentication credentials. This vulnerability directly violates the principle of least privilege and can lead to data breaches, unauthorized modifications to recruitment processes, and potential escalation to higher-privilege accounts within the system. The attack can be executed remotely without requiring physical access to the system, making it particularly dangerous in cloud-based or internet-facing deployments where the application is accessible to external users.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2022-42750 must focus on implementing robust file validation and sanitization controls within the application's upload mechanisms. Organizations should implement strict file type validation that rejects suspicious extensions and content, enforce proper file content verification through MIME type checking, and implement secure file storage practices that prevent execution of uploaded files. The recommended approach includes implementing a whitelist-based file validation system that only accepts known safe file types and extensions, while also implementing proper file naming conventions and storage isolation to prevent cross-contamination. Additionally, organizations should deploy web application firewalls to monitor and filter suspicious upload patterns, implement secure session management practices including secure cookie attributes such as HttpOnly and Secure flags, and establish regular security testing protocols to identify similar validation flaws. According to ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability maps to T1566 which covers social engineering techniques, and T1078 which addresses valid accounts, as the exploitation results in unauthorized access to legitimate user accounts. Regular security audits and penetration testing should be conducted to ensure that upload validation mechanisms remain effective against evolving attack techniques.