CVE-2024-0469: Human Resource System SQLi Vulnerability

CVE-2024-0469 Overview

A critical SQL Injection vulnerability has been identified in Code-Projects Human Resource Integrated System version 1.0. The vulnerability exists in the update_personal_info.php file, where improper handling of the sex parameter allows attackers to inject malicious SQL queries. This flaw enables remote attackers to manipulate database queries without authentication, potentially compromising the entire HR system database containing sensitive employee information.

Critical Impact

Remote unauthenticated attackers can exploit this SQL injection vulnerability to extract, modify, or delete sensitive HR data including employee records, personal information, and potentially gain further system access through database server compromise.

Affected Products

• Code-Projects Human Resource Integrated System 1.0

Discovery Timeline

• 2024-01-12 - CVE-2024-0469 published to NVD
• 2024-11-21 - Last updated in NVD database

Technical Details for CVE-2024-0469

Vulnerability Analysis

This vulnerability is classified as SQL Injection (CWE-89), occurring when user-supplied input is incorporated into SQL queries without proper sanitization or parameterization. The affected component, update_personal_info.php, processes the sex parameter directly in database operations, creating an injection point that attackers can exploit remotely.

The vulnerability requires no authentication and no user interaction to exploit, making it particularly dangerous for internet-facing HR systems. Successful exploitation can lead to complete compromise of data confidentiality, integrity, and system availability.

Root Cause

The root cause is insufficient input validation and the absence of parameterized queries in the update_personal_info.php file. The application directly concatenates user input from the sex parameter into SQL statements without sanitizing special characters or using prepared statements, allowing malicious SQL syntax to be interpreted as part of the query.

Attack Vector

The attack can be launched remotely over the network against the vulnerable PHP endpoint. An attacker crafts a malicious HTTP request containing SQL injection payloads in the sex parameter. When the application processes this request, the injected SQL code executes with the database privileges of the application, potentially allowing:

• Extraction of sensitive employee data including personal information, salaries, and credentials
• Modification or deletion of HR records
• Bypass of authentication mechanisms
• Potential escalation to operating system command execution depending on database configuration

The exploit methodology has been publicly disclosed, as documented in the GitHub SQL Injection Exploit documentation. Additional technical details are available via VulDB #250574.

Detection Methods for CVE-2024-0469

Indicators of Compromise

• Unusual or malformed requests to update_personal_info.php containing SQL keywords such as UNION, SELECT, DROP, INSERT, or comment sequences (--, /*)
• Database error messages appearing in HTTP responses or application logs
• Unexpected database queries or data access patterns in database audit logs
• Anomalous network traffic patterns targeting the HR application's update endpoints

Detection Strategies

• Implement Web Application Firewall (WAF) rules to detect SQL injection patterns in HTTP parameters, specifically monitoring the sex parameter in requests to update_personal_info.php
• Deploy database activity monitoring to identify unusual query patterns or unauthorized data access attempts
• Enable detailed logging for the PHP application and database server to capture potentially malicious requests
• Configure SentinelOne Singularity Platform to monitor for suspicious process behavior and file system changes that may indicate post-exploitation activity

Monitoring Recommendations

• Monitor HTTP access logs for requests containing SQL injection signatures targeting update_personal_info.php
• Set up alerts for database errors or exceptions that may indicate injection attempts
• Track database account activity for unauthorized data access or privilege escalation
• Review network connections from the database server for potential data exfiltration indicators

How to Mitigate CVE-2024-0469

Immediate Actions Required

• Restrict network access to the Human Resource Integrated System to trusted IP addresses only
• Implement a Web Application Firewall with SQL injection detection rules in front of the application
• Review database permissions to ensure the application uses least-privilege database accounts
• Audit database logs for signs of prior exploitation attempts
• Consider taking the application offline until proper code remediation is implemented

Patch Information

As of the last update, no official vendor patch has been released for this vulnerability. Organizations using Code-Projects Human Resource Integrated System 1.0 should contact the vendor for remediation guidance or implement the workarounds described below.

Workarounds

• Apply input validation and sanitization for all user-supplied parameters, particularly the sex parameter in update_personal_info.php
• Implement parameterized queries (prepared statements) for all database operations to prevent SQL injection
• Deploy network segmentation to isolate the HR system from untrusted networks
• Enable database audit logging to detect and investigate potential exploitation attempts

# Example: Restrict access to the vulnerable endpoint using Apache .htaccess
# Add to .htaccess in the application directory
<Files "update_personal_info.php">
    Order Deny,Allow
    Deny from all
    Allow from 192.168.1.0/24
    # Replace with your trusted network range
</Files>