A recently discovered vulnerability, CVE-2024-12228, classified as critical, affects PHPGurukul Complaint Management System 1.. This vulnerability pertains to an unknown function within the /admin/user-search.php file, with the manipulation of the 'search' argument resulting in an SQL Injection. As a remote attack, CVE-2024-12228 is particularly dangerous and has already been disclosed to the public, making systems susceptible to potential exploits.

Understanding the Vulnerability

This vulnerability is an instance of SQL Injection, a type of code injection that makes the backend database of a web application vulnerable through malicious SQL code entry in a user input field. In this case, the vulnerable input field is the 'search' query in the PHPGurukul Complaint Management System. This input field allows for nefarious SQL queries executed by attackers to compromise sensitive data or even gain unauthorized control of the target system.

Exploit Details

The vulnerable part of the system is the /admin/user-search.php file. As mentioned earlier, the 'search' argument allows for unauthorized SQL commands to be executed. Below is a code snippet from the user-search.php file showcasing the parameter in question.

// Code Snippet from /admin/user-search.php
...
$search = $_POST['search'];
$sql = "SELECT * FROM admin WHERE username = '$search' AND active='1'";
...

In the code snippet above, the $search variable is directly used within the SQL query. User input has not been sanitized, making it possible for an attacker to manipulate this input. The vulnerability is within this lack of input validation and sanitization.

Consider a scenario where the attacker enters the payload

' or '1' = '1

The resulting SQL query would be

SELECT * FROM admin WHERE username = '' or '1' = '1' AND active='1';

This query would return all records from the 'admin' table where the 'active' field is set to '1,' meaning the attacker retrieves a list of active admin users.

Protecting Your System

Since this vulnerability already has a public disclosure, patching your PHPGurukul Complaint Management System 1. should be a priority. To prevent SQL injection, implement the following measures:

1. Proper Input Validation: Ensure all user inputs are correctly validated for the correct type, length, and format before utilization in SQL queries.
2. Input Sanitization: Use prepared statements or parameterized queries to ensure user input is sanitized and secure from malicious SQL code.
3. Employ Least Privilege: Limit the permissions of your database accounts to only the necessary actions required to perform their function.
4. Regular Security Audits: Periodically review and assess the security of your system, including testing for known vulnerabilities, such as CVE-2024-12228.

Conclusion

CVE-2024-12228 poses a significant threat to PHPGurukul Complaint Management System 1.. Understanding this critical vulnerability, its exploitation, and implementing necessary security measures is crucial in today's ever-evolving digital landscape. Make sure to stay updated on the latest security advisories for your system and keep your software patched against known vulnerabilities.

Original References

1. PHPGurukul Complaint Management System: (https://phpgurukul.com/complaint-management-sytem-using-php-and-mysql/)
2. CVE-2024-12228 Full Disclosure: (https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2024-12228)

Timeline

Published on: 12/05/2024 14:15:20 UTC
Last modified on: 12/10/2024 23:19:04 UTC