Summary
A SQL injection vulnerability in Kiteworks Secure Data Forms could allow an authenticated user to influence a value derived from stored account data that is later included in a database query without adequate sanitization. The issue becomes risky in deployments where the affected optional feature is enabled and the attacker can control or alter the relevant account-derived value.
Affected context
The vulnerability occurs in Kiteworks Secure Data Forms deployments where a specific optional feature is enabled and database queries use values derived from authenticated users' stored account information. Risk depends on whether an authenticated user can influence the underlying value and whether the application passes it into a query without parameterization or equivalent safeguards.
Exploit preconditions
- Attack surface: Database-backed functionality exposed through Secure Data Forms
- Required access: An authenticated user account
- Feature condition: The affected optional feature must be enabled
- Trigger point: Processing of the user-derived value as part of a database query
- Why exploitation is possible: User-influenced data reaches SQL query construction without sufficient separation between data and executable query syntax
Why this happens
The underlying issue is a failure to treat user-influenced account data as untrusted input when constructing a database query. When application logic combines such values with SQL text instead of using parameterized query interfaces or equivalent query-safe abstractions, attackers may alter the intended query structure. This behavior maps to CWE-89: Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an SQL Command ('SQL Injection').
Potential impact
- An attacker may access database information outside their intended authorization scope.
- An attacker could modify or delete stored application data.
- Query behavior may be altered to bypass intended application logic.
- The vulnerability can expose sensitive records or affect data integrity.
- In some database configurations, broader server-side impact may be possible.
General mitigation guidance
Mitigation generally focuses on ensuring that all user-influenced values remain data rather than executable SQL.
Common defensive patterns include:
- Using parameterized queries, prepared statements, or trusted query-builder abstractions.
- Avoiding string concatenation or interpolation when assembling SQL commands.
- Applying allowlist validation for values with constrained formats, while treating validation as a supplement rather than a substitute for parameterization.
- Limiting database identities to the minimum permissions required by the feature.
- Restricting optional features to deployments that require them and reviewing their data-flow boundaries.
- Separating application database permissions and sensitive data access where practical.
How teams detect issues like this
Detection approaches can include:
- Static analysis rules identifying SQL construction through string concatenation, interpolation, or unsafe formatting.
- Code review checks for account-derived or request-derived values crossing into database query APIs.
- Database activity monitoring for anomalous query patterns, unexpected errors, unusual access volumes, or out-of-scope records.
- Policy enforcement requiring parameterized queries and approved database-access libraries.
- Automated application security testing focused on input-to-query data flows, performed in authorized test environments.
