CVE-2017-16561 in School Management System
Summary
by MITRE
/view/friend_profile.php in Ingenious School Management System 2.3.0 is vulnerable to Boolean-based and Time-based SQL injection in the 'friend_index' parameter of a GET request.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/04/2019
The Ingenious School Management System version 2.3.0 contains a critical SQL injection vulnerability in its friend_profile.php component that affects the 'friend_index' parameter within GET requests. This vulnerability manifests as both Boolean-based and Time-based SQL injection attacks, representing a significant security risk that could compromise the entire database infrastructure. The flaw exists in the application's input validation mechanisms where user-supplied data from the friend_index parameter is directly incorporated into SQL queries without proper sanitization or parameterization, creating an exploitable entry point for malicious actors.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from the application's failure to properly escape or validate user input before processing it within database queries. When an attacker submits a malicious value through the friend_index parameter, the system processes this input directly into SQL commands, allowing attackers to manipulate the query execution flow. Boolean-based injection occurs when the attacker can infer database structure through true or false responses, while Time-based injection enables the attacker to extract data through conditional delays in query execution. This dual nature of the vulnerability provides attackers with multiple exploitation pathways and increases the overall attack surface.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft, potentially allowing full database compromise and unauthorized access to sensitive educational information. School management systems typically contain highly sensitive data including student records, personal information, academic performance, and administrative details that could be exploited for identity theft, fraud, or targeted attacks. The vulnerability could enable attackers to escalate privileges, bypass authentication mechanisms, or even gain remote code execution capabilities depending on the database configuration and underlying system architecture. This risk is particularly concerning in educational environments where data protection regulations and privacy requirements are stringent.
Security professionals should implement multiple layers of defense to address this vulnerability. Immediate mitigation involves applying the vendor-provided patch or upgrade to the latest version of the Ingenious School Management System. Input validation and parameterized queries should be implemented at the application level to prevent direct SQL query construction from user input. Network-level protections including web application firewalls and intrusion detection systems can help detect and block malicious requests targeting this specific parameter. Additionally, regular security audits and penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities within the application and surrounding infrastructure. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-89 SQL Injection and follows ATT&CK technique T1190 Exploit Public-Facing Application, highlighting the need for comprehensive security measures across all system components. Organizations should also consider implementing database activity monitoring and access controls to minimize potential damage from successful exploitation attempts.