CVE-2022-40926 is a high-severity SQL Injection vulnerability identified in the Online Leave Management System version 1.0. The vulnerability exists in the endpoint /leave_system/classes/Master.php with the function parameter f=delete_leave_type. SQL Injection (CWE-89) occurs when untrusted input is improperly sanitized and directly used in SQL queries, allowing attackers to manipulate the database queries executed by the application. In this case, the vulnerability allows an attacker with high privileges (PR:H) to remotely exploit the system over the network (AV:N) without requiring user interaction (UI:N). Successful exploitation can lead to full compromise of the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of the backend database. This includes unauthorized data disclosure, modification, or deletion of leave types or other sensitive HR data stored in the system. The CVSS 3.1 base score of 7.2 reflects the high impact and relatively low attack complexity (AC:L). Although no known public exploits are reported in the wild, the vulnerability is critical for organizations relying on this leave management software, especially if it is internet-facing or accessible within internal networks. The lack of vendor or product-specific information limits detailed vendor mitigation guidance, but the vulnerability clearly stems from insufficient input validation and parameterized query usage in the affected PHP script.

For European organizations using the Online Leave Management System v1.0, this vulnerability poses a significant risk to HR data confidentiality and operational continuity. Exploitation could lead to unauthorized access to employee leave records, manipulation or deletion of leave types, and potentially broader database compromise if the system shares backend resources with other applications. This could result in privacy violations under GDPR, reputational damage, and operational disruptions in workforce management. Given the high privileges required, internal threat actors or attackers who have gained elevated access could leverage this vulnerability to escalate their control or exfiltrate sensitive data. Organizations with remote or cloud-hosted deployments are particularly at risk if access controls are insufficient. The absence of known exploits reduces immediate risk but does not eliminate the threat, especially as proof-of-concept exploits could be developed.

To mitigate this vulnerability, organizations should immediately audit and update the affected Online Leave Management System to a patched version if available. In the absence of official patches, developers should implement parameterized queries or prepared statements in the PHP code handling the delete_leave_type function to prevent SQL Injection. Input validation and sanitization must be enforced rigorously on all user-supplied parameters. Network segmentation and strict access controls should be applied to limit exposure of the leave management system to trusted users only. Additionally, monitoring and logging database queries and application logs can help detect suspicious activities indicative of exploitation attempts. Regular security assessments and code reviews should be conducted to identify similar injection flaws. If feasible, consider replacing or upgrading legacy leave management solutions with more secure, actively maintained alternatives.