CVE-2010-0954 in E-Learning Portal
Summary
by MITRE
SQL injection vulnerability in search_result.asp in Pre Projects Pre E-Learning Portal allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via the course_ID parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/02/2026
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2010-0954 represents a critical SQL injection flaw within the Pre Projects Pre E-Learning Portal application, specifically affecting the search_result.asp component. This vulnerability resides in the application's handling of user input through the course_ID parameter, creating a dangerous attack vector that enables remote adversaries to manipulate the underlying database queries. The flaw fundamentally stems from insufficient input validation and sanitization mechanisms that fail to properly escape or filter malicious SQL payloads submitted by attackers. According to CWE-89, this vulnerability maps directly to improper neutralization of special elements used in an SQL command, which is one of the most prevalent and dangerous categories of web application vulnerabilities. The attack surface is particularly concerning given that the vulnerability allows for arbitrary SQL command execution, potentially enabling attackers to extract, modify, or delete sensitive data from the database without proper authentication.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when an attacker submits a malicious course_ID parameter value that contains SQL injection payloads to the search_result.asp endpoint. The application fails to implement proper parameterized queries or input sanitization, allowing the injected SQL code to be executed within the database context. This flaw enables attackers to perform various malicious activities including but not limited to data exfiltration, privilege escalation, and potentially complete database compromise. The vulnerability's remote nature means that attackers can exploit it from outside the network perimeter without requiring local system access or prior authentication. The attack chain typically involves crafting a malicious payload that bypasses input validation, which then gets processed by the vulnerable application and executed against the database backend. This type of vulnerability is particularly dangerous in educational portal environments where sensitive user data, course materials, and personal information are stored in the database.
The operational impact of CVE-2010-0954 extends beyond simple data theft, potentially compromising the entire integrity and availability of the e-learning platform. Attackers could exploit this vulnerability to gain unauthorized access to user credentials, personal information, course content, and administrative privileges. The vulnerability's presence in a learning management system creates a significant risk to educational institutions, as it could lead to the exposure of student records, academic performance data, and potentially sensitive institutional information. Organizations may face regulatory compliance violations, legal consequences, and reputational damage if such vulnerabilities are exploited successfully. The vulnerability also creates opportunities for attackers to establish persistent access through database-level backdoors or to escalate privileges within the application's database environment. From an attacker's perspective, this vulnerability aligns with several tactics described in the MITRE ATT&CK framework, particularly those related to credential access and privilege escalation through database exploitation techniques. The vulnerability's exploitation could enable attackers to move laterally within the network infrastructure if database credentials are shared with other systems.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2010-0954 must address both immediate remediation and long-term security hardening measures. The primary solution involves implementing proper input validation and parameterized queries throughout the application codebase, ensuring that all user-supplied data is properly escaped or sanitized before being incorporated into database queries. Organizations should deploy web application firewalls and input validation rules to detect and block malicious SQL injection attempts. Regular security assessments and code reviews should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities across the application's functionality. The implementation of principle of least privilege access controls for database accounts, along with proper error handling that does not expose database information to end users, are essential defensive measures. Additionally, organizations should consider implementing database activity monitoring and intrusion detection systems to detect potential exploitation attempts. The vulnerability highlights the importance of secure coding practices and proper application security testing, particularly in environments handling sensitive educational data. Regular patch management and security awareness training for development teams can help prevent similar vulnerabilities from being introduced in future application versions. The remediation process should include comprehensive testing to ensure that the implemented fixes do not introduce new functionality issues while effectively blocking the SQL injection attack vectors.