CVE-2023-1848 in Online Payroll System
Summary
by MITRE • 04/05/2023
A vulnerability was found in SourceCodester Online Payroll System 1.0. It has been classified as critical. Affected is an unknown function of the file /admin/attendance_row.php. The manipulation of the argument id leads to sql injection. It is possible to launch the attack remotely. The exploit has been disclosed to the public and may be used. The identifier of this vulnerability is VDB-224988.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/22/2023
The vulnerability CVE-2023-1848 represents a critical sql injection flaw within the SourceCodester Online Payroll System version 1.0, specifically targeting the administrative attendance management functionality. This vulnerability resides in the /admin/attendance_row.php file where an unvalidated id parameter is directly incorporated into sql query construction without proper input sanitization or parameterization. The flaw allows attackers to manipulate the id argument to inject malicious sql commands that can be executed against the underlying database system, potentially compromising the entire payroll database infrastructure.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability follows standard sql injection attack patterns where an attacker can craft malicious input to manipulate the database query execution flow. When the application processes the id parameter in attendance_row.php, it fails to implement proper input validation or sql parameterization techniques, creating a direct path for sql command injection. The vulnerability's classification as critical stems from the potential for full database compromise, including unauthorized data access, modification, or deletion of payroll records, employee information, and financial data. This type of vulnerability maps directly to CWE-89 which specifically addresses sql injection weaknesses in software applications.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft to include complete system compromise and potential regulatory violations. Attackers can leverage this flaw to extract sensitive payroll information, manipulate attendance records, and potentially gain unauthorized access to other system components through database-based attacks. The remote exploit capability means that attackers do not require physical access to the system, making the vulnerability particularly dangerous for web applications. The public disclosure of the exploit, as indicated by the VDB-224988 identifier, increases the risk profile significantly as malicious actors can immediately deploy automated attack tools against vulnerable systems. This vulnerability also represents a potential vector for privilege escalation attacks that could allow attackers to gain administrative access to the entire payroll system.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2023-1848 must address both immediate remediation and long-term security improvements. The primary fix involves implementing proper input validation and sql parameterization techniques throughout the application code, specifically in the attendance_row.php file and similar database interaction points. Organizations should implement prepared statements or parameterized queries to prevent sql injection attacks at the code level, following secure coding practices recommended by the OWASP Top Ten and NIST guidelines. Additionally, regular security assessments should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other application components, particularly in administrative interfaces that handle sensitive data. Network-level protections such as web application firewalls and database activity monitoring should be deployed to detect and prevent exploitation attempts. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of keeping software components updated and implementing proper access controls for administrative functions, as outlined in the MITRE ATT&CK framework's application layer attack patterns.