CVE-2022-44151 identifies a critical SQL Injection vulnerability in Simple Inventory Management System (SIMS) version 1.0, specifically exploitable via the /ims/login.php endpoint. SQL Injection (CWE-89) vulnerabilities occur when untrusted input is improperly sanitized and directly incorporated into SQL queries, allowing attackers to manipulate the database query logic. In this case, the login functionality fails to properly validate or parameterize user-supplied input, enabling an attacker to inject malicious SQL commands. Given the CVSS 3.1 base score of 9.8, this vulnerability is remotely exploitable over the network without requiring authentication or user interaction (AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N). The impact vector includes full compromise of confidentiality, integrity, and availability of the underlying database and potentially the entire application. Attackers can extract sensitive data, modify or delete records, bypass authentication, or even execute administrative commands on the backend database. Although no public exploits have been reported in the wild to date, the vulnerability’s critical severity and ease of exploitation make it a high-risk threat. The lack of vendor or product-specific information limits precise identification, but the affected product is a Simple Inventory Management System, which is typically used by small to medium enterprises for tracking stock and assets. The vulnerability resides in a core authentication module, increasing the likelihood of unauthorized access and data breaches if exploited.

For European organizations, the exploitation of this SQL Injection vulnerability could lead to severe operational and reputational damage. Inventory management systems often contain sensitive business data such as stock levels, supplier information, pricing, and customer orders. Unauthorized access or data manipulation could disrupt supply chains, cause financial losses, and violate data protection regulations such as GDPR if personal data is involved. The ability to bypass authentication and execute arbitrary SQL commands could also facilitate lateral movement within corporate networks, potentially exposing other critical systems. Small and medium enterprises (SMEs), which commonly deploy such inventory systems, may lack robust cybersecurity defenses, increasing their risk exposure. Additionally, sectors with stringent compliance requirements (e.g., manufacturing, retail, logistics) may face legal and regulatory consequences if breaches occur. The absence of patches or vendor guidance further exacerbates the risk, necessitating immediate mitigation efforts.

1. Immediate deployment of Web Application Firewalls (WAFs) with custom rules to detect and block SQL Injection attempts targeting /ims/login.php. 2. Conduct thorough input validation and implement parameterized queries or prepared statements in the login module to eliminate direct concatenation of user input into SQL commands. 3. Perform comprehensive code audits of the entire application to identify and remediate similar injection points beyond the login page. 4. Restrict database user privileges associated with the application to the minimum necessary, preventing destructive commands even if injection occurs. 5. Monitor application logs and database query logs for anomalous patterns indicative of injection attempts or unauthorized access. 6. If possible, isolate the inventory management system within a segmented network zone to limit lateral movement. 7. Engage with the software vendor or community to obtain patches or updates; if unavailable, consider migrating to alternative inventory management solutions with secure coding practices. 8. Educate IT and security teams on SQL Injection risks and detection techniques specific to legacy or custom-built inventory systems.