CVE-2024-0471: Human Resource Integrated System SQLi Flaw

CVE-2024-0471 Overview

A critical SQL injection vulnerability has been identified in code-projects Human Resource Integrated System version 1.0. The vulnerability exists in the file /admin_route/dec_service_credits.php where improper handling of the date parameter allows attackers to inject malicious SQL commands. This vulnerability can be exploited remotely without authentication, potentially leading to complete compromise of the underlying database and system.

Critical Impact

This SQL injection vulnerability allows unauthenticated remote attackers to manipulate database queries, potentially leading to unauthorized data access, data modification, or complete database compromise.

Affected Products

• Code-projects Human Resource Integrated System 1.0

Discovery Timeline

• January 12, 2024 - CVE-2024-0471 published to NVD
• November 21, 2024 - Last updated in NVD database

Technical Details for CVE-2024-0471

Vulnerability Analysis

This vulnerability is a classic SQL injection flaw (CWE-89) that affects the administrative functionality of the Human Resource Integrated System. The vulnerable endpoint /admin_route/dec_service_credits.php fails to properly sanitize user-supplied input in the date parameter before incorporating it into SQL queries. This allows an attacker to manipulate the query structure by injecting arbitrary SQL commands.

The attack can be executed remotely over the network without requiring any authentication or user interaction. Successful exploitation grants an attacker the ability to read sensitive data from the database, modify or delete records, and potentially execute operating system commands depending on the database configuration and privileges.

Root Cause

The root cause of this vulnerability is insufficient input validation and the lack of parameterized queries in the /admin_route/dec_service_credits.php file. The application directly concatenates user-supplied data from the date parameter into SQL statements without proper sanitization or the use of prepared statements. This classic programming error violates secure coding principles and allows malicious input to alter the intended query logic.

Attack Vector

The attack can be initiated remotely via the network by sending crafted HTTP requests to the vulnerable endpoint. An attacker would craft a malicious value for the date parameter containing SQL injection payloads designed to manipulate the underlying database query. Since no authentication is required and no user interaction is needed, this vulnerability presents a significant exposure for any publicly accessible deployment of this application.

The vulnerable parameter accepts date values that are directly embedded into SQL queries. By injecting SQL syntax such as single quotes followed by SQL commands, an attacker can break out of the intended query context and execute arbitrary database operations. Technical details and proof-of-concept information have been disclosed publicly and are available through the GitHub SQL Injection Analysis and VulDB entry #250576.

Detection Methods for CVE-2024-0471

Indicators of Compromise

• Unusual or malformed requests to /admin_route/dec_service_credits.php containing SQL syntax characters such as single quotes, semicolons, or SQL keywords
• Error messages in application or database logs indicating SQL syntax errors
• Unexpected database queries or data access patterns originating from the web application
• Evidence of data exfiltration or unauthorized data modifications in the HR system database

Detection Strategies

• Implement Web Application Firewall (WAF) rules to detect and block SQL injection patterns in the date parameter
• Enable detailed logging on the web server to capture all requests to administrative endpoints
• Configure database auditing to monitor for anomalous query patterns or unauthorized data access
• Deploy SentinelOne Singularity to detect post-exploitation activities and lateral movement attempts

Monitoring Recommendations

• Monitor web server access logs for requests containing SQL injection patterns targeting /admin_route/dec_service_credits.php
• Set up alerts for database error logs indicating query syntax failures
• Track authentication and authorization events within the HR system for signs of privilege abuse
• Implement network traffic analysis to identify potential data exfiltration following SQL injection attacks

How to Mitigate CVE-2024-0471

Immediate Actions Required

• Remove or restrict public access to the vulnerable /admin_route/dec_service_credits.php endpoint immediately
• Implement network-level access controls to limit access to administrative routes to trusted IP addresses only
• Deploy a Web Application Firewall (WAF) with SQL injection protection enabled
• Audit the database for signs of compromise and review access logs for suspicious activity

Patch Information

No official vendor patch is currently available for this vulnerability. Organizations using Code-projects Human Resource Integrated System 1.0 should evaluate whether to continue using this software and consider implementing manual code fixes or migrating to a more secure alternative. If the source code is available, developers should implement parameterized queries (prepared statements) for all database interactions in the affected file.

Workarounds

• Restrict network access to administrative endpoints using firewall rules or VPN requirements
• Implement input validation at the application level to reject any date parameter values containing SQL metacharacters
• Use a reverse proxy or WAF to filter potentially malicious requests before they reach the application
• Consider disabling the vulnerable functionality entirely until a proper fix can be implemented

# Example: Block access to vulnerable endpoint using Apache .htaccess
<Files "dec_service_credits.php">
    Order deny,allow
    Deny from all
    Allow from 192.168.1.0/24
</Files>