CVE-2012-4237 in TCExam
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple SQL injection vulnerabilities in TCExam before 11.3.008 allow remote authenticated users with level 5 or greater permissions to execute arbitrary SQL commands via the subject_module_id parameter to (1) tce_edit_answer.php or (2) tce_edit_question.php.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/29/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2012-4237 represents a critical security flaw in TCExam version 11.3.008 and earlier, affecting the educational testing platform's database interaction mechanisms. This vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and sanitization within the application's SQL query construction processes, specifically targeting parameters used in administrative functions. The flaw allows authenticated users with level 5 or higher privileges to manipulate database queries through the subject_module_id parameter, which is processed in two distinct files: tce_edit_answer.php and tce_edit_question.php.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-89, which categorizes SQL injection as a database-related weakness occurring when user-supplied data is improperly incorporated into SQL commands without adequate sanitization. The vulnerability exploits the application's failure to properly escape or parameterize user input before incorporating it into database queries, enabling attackers to inject malicious SQL code. This particular implementation targets administrative interfaces where privileged users can modify test content, creating a pathway for arbitrary command execution within the database layer.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft or modification, as it provides attackers with the capability to execute arbitrary SQL commands on the underlying database system. This could potentially lead to complete database compromise, including data exfiltration, unauthorized user creation, privilege escalation, or even system-level command execution depending on the database configuration and the privileges of the database account used by TCExam. The requirement for level 5 or greater permissions reduces the attack surface compared to fully unauthenticated vulnerabilities, but still represents a significant risk in environments where administrative credentials might be compromised or where privilege escalation occurs through other means.
The attack vector relies on authenticated access, meaning that an attacker must first obtain valid credentials with administrative privileges. However, once these credentials are obtained, the vulnerability can be exploited to manipulate test data, potentially compromising the integrity of educational assessments and creating opportunities for academic dishonesty or system compromise. The vulnerability affects both answer and question editing functions, providing attackers with broad control over the test content management system.
Security mitigations for this vulnerability should focus on implementing proper input validation and parameterized queries throughout the application codebase. The fix requires ensuring that all user-supplied data, particularly parameters used in database operations, are properly sanitized and escaped before being incorporated into SQL commands. Implementing prepared statements or parameterized queries would effectively prevent SQL injection attacks by separating SQL command structure from data values. Additionally, enforcing the principle of least privilege through proper access controls and implementing robust authentication mechanisms would reduce the potential impact of such vulnerabilities. Regular security audits and code reviews focused on database interaction patterns would help identify and remediate similar issues in other parts of the application. Organizations should also consider implementing database activity monitoring to detect unusual query patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of following secure coding practices as outlined in industry standards such as OWASP Top Ten and NIST guidelines for preventing SQL injection attacks.