CVE-2022-43023 is a SQL injection vulnerability identified in OpenCATS version 0.9.6, specifically affecting the importID parameter within the Import viewerrors function. OpenCATS is an open-source applicant tracking system (ATS) used for managing recruitment and human resources workflows. The vulnerability arises because the importID parameter is not properly sanitized or validated before being incorporated into SQL queries, allowing an attacker with at least low privileges (PR:L) to inject malicious SQL code remotely (AV:N) without requiring user interaction (UI:N). The vulnerability does not require elevated privileges beyond low-level authenticated access, and the attack scope is unchanged (S:U), meaning the impact is limited to the vulnerable component or database context. The CVSS v3.1 base score is 6.5, categorized as medium severity, with a high impact on confidentiality (C:H) but no impact on integrity (I:N) or availability (A:N). Exploiting this vulnerability could allow an attacker to extract sensitive data from the underlying database, such as personal information of job applicants or internal HR data, without modifying or disrupting the system. No public exploits or patches have been reported at the time of publication, but the presence of this vulnerability in a recruitment management system poses a significant risk to data confidentiality. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-89, which corresponds to improper neutralization of special elements used in an SQL command (SQL Injection).

For European organizations using OpenCATS, especially those handling large volumes of personal data under GDPR regulations, this vulnerability poses a significant risk to the confidentiality of sensitive applicant and employee information. Unauthorized data disclosure could lead to privacy violations, regulatory fines, and reputational damage. Since OpenCATS is often deployed by small to medium-sized enterprises and recruitment agencies, the risk is compounded by potentially limited cybersecurity resources and patch management capabilities. The vulnerability could be exploited to extract personal identifiable information (PII), including names, contact details, employment history, and possibly sensitive HR notes. This breach of confidentiality could trigger mandatory breach notifications under GDPR, leading to legal and financial consequences. Additionally, the lack of impact on integrity and availability means the system would continue operating normally, potentially allowing prolonged undetected data exfiltration. The medium severity rating suggests that while the vulnerability is serious, exploitation requires some level of authenticated access, which may limit exposure but still represents a critical concern for insider threats or compromised accounts.

To mitigate this vulnerability, European organizations should first verify if they are running OpenCATS version 0.9.6 or earlier and plan immediate upgrades to a patched version once available. In the absence of an official patch, organizations should implement input validation and parameterized queries or prepared statements in the Import viewerrors function to sanitize the importID parameter and prevent SQL injection. Restricting access to the import functionality to trusted administrators and enforcing strong authentication controls can reduce the risk of exploitation. Monitoring database logs and application logs for unusual queries or access patterns related to the importID parameter can help detect attempted exploitation. Additionally, organizations should conduct regular security assessments and code reviews focusing on input handling in custom or open-source software. Implementing network segmentation to isolate the ATS system and applying the principle of least privilege to database accounts can further limit the impact of a successful attack. Finally, organizations should ensure compliance with GDPR by preparing incident response plans for potential data breaches involving personal data.