CVE-2018-18803 in Curriculum Evaluation System
Summary
by MITRE
Curriculum Evaluation System 1.0 allows SQL Injection via the login screen, related to frmCourse.vb and includes/user.vb.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/08/2025
The Curriculum Evaluation System version 1.0 contains a critical SQL injection vulnerability that exposes the application to unauthorized data access and potential system compromise. This vulnerability specifically affects the login screen functionality and is rooted in improper input validation within the frmCourse.vb and includes/user.vb components. The flaw allows attackers to inject malicious SQL code through user authentication inputs, potentially enabling them to bypass authentication mechanisms and gain unauthorized access to sensitive database information.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from the application's failure to properly sanitize or escape user inputs before incorporating them into SQL query constructions. When users attempt to log in through the vulnerable interface, the system directly incorporates login credentials into database queries without adequate parameterization or input filtering. This design flaw creates an environment where malicious actors can manipulate the SQL execution flow by injecting specially crafted payloads that alter the intended query behavior. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it targets the core authentication mechanism, making it a prime target for initial access and privilege escalation attacks.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple unauthorized access, as it can enable attackers to extract sensitive user data, modify database records, or even execute administrative commands on the underlying database system. Attackers could potentially retrieve hashed passwords, user credentials, personal information, and other confidential data stored within the curriculum evaluation database. The vulnerability also poses risks for data integrity and availability, as malicious actors could manipulate or delete critical educational records. This weakness directly violates security principles outlined in the OWASP Top Ten, specifically addressing injection flaws and authentication bypass vulnerabilities that compromise system confidentiality and integrity.
Security professionals should implement multiple layers of defense to mitigate this vulnerability effectively. The primary remediation involves implementing proper parameterized queries or prepared statements throughout the application code, particularly in the frmCourse.vb and includes/user.vb modules. Input validation and sanitization should be enforced at both the application and database levels, with strict character set restrictions and length limitations applied to all user inputs. Additionally, implementing proper error handling that does not reveal database structure information to end users is crucial for preventing information leakage. The mitigation strategy should also include regular security code reviews and penetration testing to identify similar vulnerabilities in other application components. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-89 which specifically addresses SQL injection flaws, and represents a technique commonly mapped to ATT&CK tactic TA0006 (Credential Access) and technique T1110 (Brute Force) when combined with authentication bypass capabilities. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls and database activity monitoring solutions to detect and prevent exploitation attempts.