CVE-2025-40682 in Human Resource Management System
Summary
by MITRE • 07/29/2025
SQL injection vulnerability in Human Resource Management System version 1.0, which allows an attacker to retrieve, create, update and delete databases via the “city” and “state” parameters in the /controller/ccity.php endpoint.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/05/2025
This vulnerability represents a critical sql injection flaw in a human resource management system version 1.0 that directly impacts database security and data integrity. The vulnerability exists within the /controller/ccity.php endpoint where the application fails to properly sanitize user inputs submitted through the "city" and "state" parameters. This oversight creates an exploitable condition where malicious actors can manipulate database queries by injecting crafted sql commands through these input fields. The vulnerability aligns with common weakness enumeration CWE-89 which specifically addresses sql injection vulnerabilities, and maps to attack technique T1190 in the attack tactic framework where adversaries exploit sql injection to gain unauthorized access to database systems. The impact extends beyond simple data retrieval as attackers can leverage this vulnerability to perform full database operations including creating new records, modifying existing data, and deleting critical information from the system's backend database infrastructure.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability demonstrates how insufficient input validation and parameter sanitization creates a pathway for attackers to bypass application security controls. When users submit data through the city and state parameters, the application directly incorporates these values into sql queries without proper escaping or parameterization mechanisms. This allows attackers to inject malicious sql syntax that can alter the intended query execution flow. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it provides complete database manipulation capabilities through a single endpoint, enabling attackers to perform data exfiltration, data corruption, and unauthorized access to sensitive human resource information including employee records, payroll data, and personal identification information. The attack surface is further amplified by the fact that this is a web application endpoint that likely requires minimal privileges to exploit, making it accessible to both authenticated and unauthenticated attackers depending on the application's access controls.
The operational impact of this vulnerability poses significant risks to organizational security and compliance requirements. Organizations utilizing this human resource management system face potential data breaches that could expose sensitive employee information, violate data protection regulations such as gdpr, and compromise corporate security infrastructure. The vulnerability's exploitation could result in unauthorized access to payroll records, personal employee data, and confidential organizational information stored within the database. Security teams must consider the potential for extended attack chains where this vulnerability serves as an initial access point for further exploitation within the network. The impact extends to business continuity as unauthorized database modifications could disrupt human resource operations, affect payroll processing, and create data integrity issues that may require extensive forensic analysis and system restoration. Organizations should also consider the regulatory implications and potential legal consequences that may arise from data exposure through this vulnerability.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability must address both immediate remediation and long-term security improvements. The primary fix involves implementing proper input validation and parameterized queries to prevent sql injection attacks, ensuring that all user inputs are properly sanitized before being incorporated into database operations. Organizations should deploy web application firewalls to monitor and filter malicious requests targeting the affected endpoint, while also implementing input sanitization at the application layer. Regular security testing including automated vulnerability scanning and manual penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar issues across the application codebase. The implementation of least privilege access controls and database query monitoring can help detect unauthorized database activities. Additionally, organizations should establish incident response procedures specifically addressing sql injection vulnerabilities and maintain regular security awareness training for developers to prevent similar coding practices that create exploitable conditions. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical importance of secure coding practices and proper input validation in preventing database compromise through sql injection attacks.