CVE-2020-14972 in Pisay Online E-Learning System
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple SQL injection vulnerabilities in Sourcecodester Pisay Online E-Learning System 1.0 allow remote unauthenticated attackers to bypass authentication and achieve Remote Code Execution (RCE) via the user_email, user_pass, and id parameters on the admin login-portal and the edit-lessons webpages.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/26/2020
The CVE-2020-14972 vulnerability represents a critical security flaw in the Sourcecodester Pisay Online E-Learning System version 1.0 that exposes multiple SQL injection attack vectors. This vulnerability affects the system's authentication mechanisms and administrative interfaces, creating a severe pathway for unauthorized access and potential system compromise. The flaw manifests through three distinct parameters user_email, user_pass, and id which are processed without adequate input sanitization or parameterized queries. These parameters are utilized within the admin login-portal and edit-lessons webpages, making them prime targets for exploitation by malicious actors seeking to bypass legitimate authentication processes.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from improper input validation and query construction practices within the application's backend code. When attackers submit malicious input through the vulnerable parameters, the system fails to properly escape or parameterize user-supplied data before incorporating it into SQL commands. This lack of proper input handling creates opportunities for attackers to manipulate database queries through crafted payloads that can extract sensitive information, modify database records, or even execute arbitrary code on the underlying system. The vulnerability specifically aligns with CWE-89 which categorizes SQL injection flaws as weaknesses in software that allows attackers to manipulate database queries through untrusted input.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple authentication bypass to include full remote code execution capabilities, making it particularly dangerous for organizations relying on this e-learning platform. An unauthenticated attacker can exploit these vulnerabilities to gain administrative access to the system without requiring valid credentials, potentially leading to complete system compromise. Once authenticated, the attacker can manipulate course content, modify user accounts, access sensitive educational data, and potentially use the compromised system as a pivot point for attacking other network resources. This vulnerability directly maps to attack techniques described in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under T1190 for exploitation of remote services and T1078 for valid accounts usage, with potential lateral movement capabilities once initial access is achieved.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2020-14972 should focus on immediate patching of the affected application version and implementation of proper input validation measures. Organizations must ensure that all user-supplied inputs are properly parameterized or escaped before being incorporated into database queries, following secure coding practices that prevent SQL injection attacks. The system should implement proper authentication controls with rate limiting and account lockout mechanisms to prevent brute force attempts. Additionally, network segmentation and monitoring should be deployed to detect suspicious activities related to the vulnerable parameters. Regular security assessments and code reviews should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other applications, with particular attention to database interaction patterns and input handling procedures. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of implementing defense-in-depth strategies and maintaining up-to-date security patches across all organizational systems to prevent exploitation of known vulnerabilities.