How a Single SQL Injection Exposed 45 Databases, 240 S3 Buckets and Entire Cloud Infrastructure

What starts as one vulnerable API can end in disaster. CloudSEK’s BeVigil uncovered a shocking SQL Injection flaw that exposed 45 databases, over 240 S3 buckets, and an entire AWS cloud setup to potential attackers. From unauthorized data access to full infrastructure takeover, this case reveals the high stakes of API misconfigurations. Dive in to see how a small security gap almost led to a catastrophic breach—and what must be done to prevent the next one.

Niharika Ray

April 24, 2025

Security vulnerabilities often start small but can have massive repercussions if left unchecked. One such critical flaw was recently uncovered by CloudSEK’s BeVigil, where an unauthenticated API endpoint on a major recruitment service provider’s web application was found vulnerable to SQL Injection, potentially leading to Remote Code Execution (RCE) and unauthorized access to massive amounts of sensitive data.

A Catastrophic Misconfiguration

BeVigil’s API Scanner identified a publicly accessible API endpoint vulnerable to SQL Injection

This could allow attackers to:

Extract data from 45 databases and 9000+ tables.
Access 240+ S3 Buckets containing sensitive data.
Escalate privileges to execute remote commands on the cloud infrastructure.

A Security Nightmare

This SQL Injection vulnerability could have led to a large-scale data breach, putting customer and company data at significant risk.

1. Unauthorized Data Access

Exposed customer details, payroll information, and financial records could lead to significant privacy violations and financial risk. In addition, unauthorized access to internal business records and confidential agreements compromises strategic information and business integrity.

*PoC Screenshot showcasing data from Invoice table*

*PoC Screenshot showing snippet of privileges of the keys*

2. Cloud Infrastructure Takeover

Attackers could execute arbitrary system commands, potentially leading to a full compromise of the AWS cloud environment. Furthermore, the exposure of IAM credentials could have enabled lateral movement within the infrastructure, escalating the impact of the breach.

*PoC Screenshot of users in AWS infrastructure*

*PoC Screenshot showing S3 buckets of main entity being accessible*

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3. Financial and Reputational Damage

Exposure of critical business data could result in severe consequences, including financial fraud, regulatory fines, and potential lawsuits. Additionally, such incidents could lead to a significant loss of customer trust and cause lasting reputational damage.

Mitigation

Upon discovery, the following actions should be implemented to prevent further exploitation:

Secure API Endpoints – Implement authentication & authorization mechanisms.
Use Parameterized Queries – Prevent direct user input from being executed in SQL queries.
Restrict Database Access – Limit privileges to only necessary functions.
Rotate Exposed Credentials – Update all compromised IAM keys, API tokens, and database credentials.
Conduct Regular Security Audits – Perform penetration testing to proactively identify vulnerabilities.
Implement Web Application Firewalls (WAFs) – Block malicious SQL injection attempts before they reach the application.

Final Thoughts

This incident underscores how a simple SQL Injection flaw can escalate into a full-scale cloud compromise. Organizations must proactively secure their APIs, databases, and cloud infrastructure to avoid catastrophic breaches. With BeVigil’s external attack surface monitoring capabilities, businesses can detect and patch vulnerabilities before they are exploited. Stay vigilant, stay secure.

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