A cubic function can be injective depending on its specific form. The function f(x) = x^3 + bx^2 + cx + d is injective if its derivative f'(x) = 3x^2 + 2bx + c does not change sign. For instance, f(x) = x^3 is injective because its derivative is always non-negative. Conversely, f(x) = x^3 - x is not injective as its derivative changes sign. To have an inverse function, a cubic function must be bijective, meaning it must be both injective and surjective.