CVE-2026-111389 in HRMS
Summary
by MITRE • 10/16/2026
Frappe HRMS 14.x before 14.38.2, 15.x before 15.64.0, and 16.x before 16.18.0 contains a SQL injection vulnerability in some endpoints caused by missing input validation. Any authenticated attacker, including a low-privilege account, can send specially crafted requests to these endpoints to extract sensitive information from the database.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/16/2026
The identified security flaw resides within Frappe HRMS versions 14.x prior to patch level 38.2, version 15.x prior to patch level 64.0, and version 16.x prior to patch level 18.0. This vulnerability is classified as a SQL injection issue stemming from insufficient input validation on specific application endpoints. The core technical deficiency involves the failure of the server-side logic to properly sanitize or parameterize user-supplied data before it is incorporated into database queries. When an attacker submits specially crafted HTTP requests containing malicious SQL syntax, the backend processes this input directly within query structures without adequate filtering mechanisms in place. This allows the injected code to be interpreted by the underlying relational database management system as part of the command set rather than as literal string data.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe due to its accessibility profile. Unlike many high-severity injection flaws that require administrative privileges, this SQL injection can be exploited by any authenticated user, including those with low-privilege accounts within the HRMS environment. This broad attack surface means that a significantly larger number of potential adversaries can leverage this flaw. Successful exploitation enables an attacker to extract sensitive information stored in the database backend. Depending on the specific configuration and data types present in the Frappe instance, this could include personally identifiable information such as employee social security numbers, bank account details, salary structures, performance reviews, and other confidential human resources records. The ability of low-privilege users to perform these extractions represents a critical breach of confidentiality controls within the application's access control model.
From a classification perspective, this vulnerability aligns with Common Weakness Enumeration identifier CWE-89, which describes Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an SQL Command. This categorization highlights the fundamental failure in input handling that permits code injection. Furthermore, from a tactical standpoint relevant to threat intelligence and defense mapping, this exploit technique corresponds to MITRE ATT&CK tactic T1059, specifically sub-technique 004 which covers Command Scripting or Database Query commands depending on implementation details, but more accurately fits under the broader category of Data Exfiltration via SQL Injection often associated with techniques like T1213 if viewed through data access lenses. The exploitation path typically involves crafting HTTP GET or POST requests where query parameters are manipulated to append additional SQL statements such as UNION SELECT clauses to dump database contents.
Mitigation strategies must prioritize immediate patching of the Frappe HRMS application to at least version 14.38.2, 15.64.0, or 16.18.0 respectively, depending on the current deployment version. These updates contain code changes that implement proper input validation and parameterized query execution for the affected endpoints. In environments where immediate patching is not feasible due to operational constraints, temporary compensating controls should be implemented at the network perimeter using a Web Application Firewall configured with rulesets capable of detecting and blocking SQL injection payloads in HTTP parameters. Additionally, organizations should review their database access permissions to ensure that application service accounts operate under the principle of least privilege, limiting the potential damage even if an injection occurs by restricting direct table-level access outside of necessary operational functions. Regular security audits focusing on input validation practices across all custom or third-party modules integrated with Frappe are also recommended to prevent similar vulnerabilities in other parts of the ecosystem.