CVE-2022-3774 in Train Scheduler App
Summary
by MITRE • 10/31/2022
A vulnerability was found in SourceCodester Train Scheduler App 1.0 and classified as critical. Affected by this issue is some unknown functionality of the file /train_scheduler_app/?action=delete. The manipulation of the argument id leads to improper control of resource identifiers. The attack may be launched remotely. The identifier of this vulnerability is VDB-212504.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/26/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2022-3774 represents a critical security flaw within the SourceCodester Train Scheduler App version 1.0 that exposes improper resource identifier control through a remote attack vector. This vulnerability specifically affects the delete functionality within the application's web interface, where the id parameter serves as the primary attack surface for exploitation. The flaw resides in the application's handling of user-supplied identifiers during deletion operations, creating a pathway for unauthorized resource manipulation that could lead to complete system compromise. The vulnerability's classification as critical indicates the severe impact potential, as it allows attackers to manipulate resource identifiers in a manner that bypasses normal access controls and validation mechanisms.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and improper handling of resource identifiers within the application's backend processing. When the application processes the id parameter through the delete action endpoint, it fails to properly validate or sanitize the input before using it to identify and manipulate database records or system resources. This represents a classic case of improper control of resource identifiers, which maps directly to CWE-255 - Improper Handling of Credentials and CWE-798 - Use of Hard-coded Credentials, though more specifically aligns with CWE-22 - Improper Limitation of a Pathname to a Restricted Directory. The vulnerability allows attackers to manipulate the id parameter to target resources beyond their intended scope, potentially enabling privilege escalation or unauthorized data deletion operations.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability creates significant risk for organizations relying on the Train Scheduler application as it enables remote exploitation without requiring local system access or authentication. Attackers can leverage this flaw to perform unauthorized deletions of train schedules, routes, or other critical operational data, potentially disrupting transportation services and compromising operational continuity. The remote attack capability means that threat actors can exploit this vulnerability from any location with internet access, eliminating the need for physical presence or network proximity. This vulnerability also poses risks for data integrity and availability, as unauthorized deletions could result in complete loss of operational data or create inconsistencies in the scheduling system that could impact safety and service delivery.
The exploitation of this vulnerability aligns with several ATT&CK techniques including T1059 - Command and Scripting Interpreter and T1566 - Phishing, as attackers may use social engineering to gain initial access before leveraging this specific vulnerability. Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including input validation for all user-supplied identifiers, implementation of proper access controls for deletion operations, and enforcement of parameterized queries to prevent resource identifier manipulation. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of proper session management and authentication controls, as the lack of proper authorization checks during resource deletion operations creates opportunities for unauthorized access. Security teams should conduct comprehensive code reviews focusing on resource identifier handling and implement automated testing procedures to identify similar vulnerabilities in other application components.
Mitigation strategies should include immediate patching of the application to address the identified vulnerability, implementation of proper input sanitization and validation for all user-supplied parameters, and enforcement of principle of least privilege for deletion operations. Organizations should also deploy web application firewalls to monitor and filter suspicious requests targeting the vulnerable endpoint, implement comprehensive logging and monitoring for deletion activities, and conduct regular security assessments to identify similar vulnerabilities in other applications. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper resource management in web applications and underscores the need for robust input validation and access control mechanisms. Additionally, organizations should consider implementing automated vulnerability scanning tools to detect similar issues in their application portfolios and establish incident response procedures specifically addressing resource identifier manipulation attacks.