SQL Injection in Online Job Portal 1.0

Executive Summary

CVE-2026-15675 is a SQL injection vulnerability in the Online Job Portal 1.0 software, specifically in the /Admin/EditUser.php file. The vulnerability occurs because the UserId parameter in the GET request is directly concatenated into a SQL query without proper sanitization, validation, or the use of prepared statements.

This is a UNION-based SQL injection, meaning attackers can append additional SQL queries using the UNION operator to extract data from the database. The vulnerable code constructs a query like 'select * from User_Master where UserId= [UserId]', where [UserId] is taken directly from the user input.

The endpoint also lacks session-based authentication, allowing unauthenticated remote attackers to exploit the vulnerability. This can lead to the extraction of sensitive data, such as plaintext passwords, administrator credentials, and personal user information.

• Vulnerable file: /Admin/EditUser.php
• Vulnerable parameter: UserId (GET)
• Attack vector: Remote, unauthenticated
• Exploit type: UNION-based SQL injection

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Detection Guidance

To detect this vulnerability on your network or system, you can perform the following checks:

• Check for the presence of the vulnerable file `/Admin/EditUser.php` in the Online Job Portal 1.0 installation. This can be done by searching the web root directory for the file.
• Inspect the `/Admin/EditUser.php` file for unsanitized SQL queries involving the `UserId` parameter. Look for code that directly concatenates the `UserId` GET parameter into a SQL query without using prepared statements or input validation.
• Test the endpoint for SQL injection by sending a crafted request to the `/Admin/EditUser.php` file with a malicious `UserId` parameter. For example, you can use a payload like `Admin/EditUser.php?UserId=-1 UNION SELECT 1,version(),3--` to check if the application returns database information in the response.
• Use a web vulnerability scanner like OWASP ZAP or Burp Suite to automate the detection of SQL injection vulnerabilities in the `/Admin/EditUser.php` endpoint.
• Verify if the endpoint is accessible without authentication by attempting to access `Admin/EditUser.php` directly in a browser or via a tool like curl. If the page loads without requiring login credentials, the endpoint is vulnerable to unauthenticated access.

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Impact Analysis

This vulnerability can have severe impacts if exploited, particularly due to its remote and unauthenticated nature.

• Data theft: Attackers can extract sensitive information from the database, including user credentials, personal data, and administrative accounts.
• Database compromise: The entire database could be dumped, exposing all stored records to the attacker.
• Unauthorized access: If administrator credentials are stolen, attackers could gain full control over the application and its data.
• Server compromise: If the database user has FILE privileges, attackers could write malicious files (e.g., webshells) to the server filesystem, leading to full server takeover.
• Operational disruption: The application could be manipulated or taken offline, disrupting services for legitimate users.

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Compliance Impact

This vulnerability can lead to non-compliance with several common standards and regulations due to its potential for data exposure and unauthorized access.

• GDPR (General Data Protection Regulation): If the application processes personal data of EU citizens, this vulnerability could lead to unauthorized access and disclosure of such data. GDPR requires strict protection of personal data, and a breach could result in significant fines (up to 4% of global revenue or €20 million, whichever is higher).
• HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act): If the application handles protected health information (PHI), this vulnerability could lead to unauthorized access to sensitive patient data. HIPAA mandates strict safeguards for PHI, and a breach could result in penalties ranging from $100 to $50,000 per violation, with a maximum of $1.5 million per year.
• PCI DSS (Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard): If the application processes payment card information, this vulnerability could expose cardholder data. PCI DSS requires encryption and secure handling of such data, and non-compliance could lead to fines, increased transaction fees, or loss of payment processing capabilities.
• Other regulations: Depending on the industry and data handled, this vulnerability could also violate sector-specific regulations, such as SOX (Sarbanes-Oxley Act) for financial data or FISMA (Federal Information Security Management Act) for U.S. government systems.

In summary, the vulnerability undermines the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of data, which are core requirements of these regulations. Organizations must address this vulnerability promptly to avoid legal, financial, and reputational consequences.

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Mitigation Strategies

To mitigate this vulnerability, take the following immediate steps:

• Apply input validation and sanitization to the `UserId` parameter in `/Admin/EditUser.php`. Ensure that only expected values (e.g., integers) are accepted and reject any input that does not conform to the expected format.
• Replace the vulnerable SQL query with a prepared statement or parameterized query to prevent SQL injection. For example, use PDO or MySQLi prepared statements in PHP to safely handle user input.
• Implement authentication and authorization checks for the `/Admin/EditUser.php` endpoint. Ensure that only authenticated and authorized users can access this page.
• Restrict database user privileges to minimize the impact of a potential SQL injection attack. Ensure the database user does not have unnecessary privileges, such as FILE privileges, which could allow attackers to write files to the server.
• Deploy a web application firewall (WAF) to block SQL injection attempts targeting the vulnerable endpoint.
• Monitor logs for suspicious activity, such as unusual requests to `/Admin/EditUser.php` or attempts to exploit SQL injection vulnerabilities.
• Update the Online Job Portal software to the latest version if a patch or security update is available from the vendor.

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