Goals from Steed Malbranque and Nick Barmby saw the scores level at half-time, but second-half strikes from Kieran Richardson, Kenwyne Jones and Djibril Cisse saw caretaker manager Ricky Sbragia pick up his second win in three games.
Sunderland grabbed the opener on ten minutes as Andy Reid cut inside Bernard Mendy on the left and slid the ball into the feet of Malbranque, who hit a superb right-footed effort into top right corner of the net from 20 yards.
The home side were back on level terms soon after as a long ball upfield from Boaz Myhill was flicked on by Kamil Zayatte into the path of Michael Turner, whose sliding effort inside the six-yard box saw the ball come off the legs of keeper Marton Fulop and into the path of Barmby, who slammed the ball home from close range.
Geovanni then came within inches of getting his side's second as hit a curling right-footed free-kick towards the top corner from 20 yards, but Fulop did well to turn the ball over the bar.
The visitors had a great chance towards the end of the half as Jones flicked the ball into Malbranque with space in the box, but the French midfielder could only drag his effort well wide of the post.
Richardson tested the reactions of Myhill early in the second half as the ex-Manchester United man struck a rasping right-footed effort from 25 yards but the Wales international was equal to it.
Sbragia's men re-took the lead on 78 minutes as Richardson struck a right-footed shot from way out which saw the ball deflect off Zayatte and bounce into the net past the stranded Myhill.
Hull were then down to ten men with ten minutes left as Sam Ricketts was given a second yellow card by Mike Riley for a late challenge on Phil Bardsley.
Sunderland then made it 3-1 on 84 minutes as Malbranque made space down the right to deliver a cross towards Jones, who neatly nodded the ball into the back of the net from four yards.
The visitors completed the rout in injury time as Cisse raced onto a through ball and struck the ball first time past the hapless Myhill.