CVE-2023-2052 in Advanced Online Voting System
Summary
by MITRE • 04/14/2023
A vulnerability classified as critical was found in Campcodes Advanced Online Voting System 1.0. Affected by this vulnerability is an unknown functionality of the file /admin/ballot_down.php. The manipulation of the argument id leads to sql injection. The attack can be launched remotely. The exploit has been disclosed to the public and may be used. The identifier VDB-225937 was assigned to this vulnerability.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/18/2026
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2023-2052 represents a critical sql injection flaw within the Campcodes Advanced Online Voting System version 1.0. This system, designed for online voting operations, contains a dangerous weakness in its administrative component that directly impacts the security posture of electoral processes. The vulnerability specifically resides in the /admin/ballot_down.php file, making it a targeted attack vector for malicious actors seeking to compromise the voting infrastructure. The flaw allows remote exploitation through manipulation of the id parameter, creating a pathway for unauthorized database access and potential data breaches that could undermine the integrity of the entire voting system.
The technical nature of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-89, which categorizes sql injection as a code injection technique where untrusted data is incorporated into sql queries without proper sanitization or parameterization. The attack vector operates remotely, meaning that threat actors can exploit this weakness from external networks without requiring physical access to the system infrastructure. This characteristic significantly expands the potential attack surface and makes the vulnerability particularly dangerous for operational security. The disclosure of the exploit publically through VDB-225937 means that malicious actors have readily available tools to leverage this weakness, transforming what was once a potential threat into an active risk that organizations must address immediately.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends far beyond simple database compromise, potentially affecting the fundamental integrity of electoral processes and voter data confidentiality. Remote sql injection attacks can enable attackers to extract sensitive information including voter records, ballot configurations, administrative credentials, and potentially manipulate voting outcomes. The implications for election security are profound, as this vulnerability could be exploited to alter vote counts, access private voter information, or disrupt the entire voting system functionality. The attack chain typically follows the pattern of initial reconnaissance, parameter manipulation through the id argument, and subsequent database exploitation to achieve unauthorized access and data exfiltration.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2023-2052 must include immediate patching of the affected Campcodes Advanced Online Voting System to address the sql injection vulnerability in the ballot_down.php file. Organizations should implement proper input validation and parameterized queries to prevent sql injection attacks, ensuring that all user-supplied data is properly sanitized before database interaction. Network segmentation and access controls should be strengthened to limit administrative access points, while monitoring systems should be deployed to detect anomalous database queries that might indicate exploitation attempts. The implementation of web application firewalls and intrusion detection systems provides additional layers of protection against sql injection attacks. Security teams must also conduct comprehensive vulnerability assessments of similar systems and ensure that all administrative interfaces follow secure coding practices to prevent similar vulnerabilities from emerging in other components of the voting infrastructure. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under T1190 - Exploit Public-Facing Application, highlighting the importance of protecting externally accessible systems from remote exploitation attempts that can lead to complete system compromise and data breaches.