CVE-2023-2053 in Advanced Online Voting System
Summary
by MITRE • 04/14/2023
A vulnerability, which was classified as critical, has been found in Campcodes Advanced Online Voting System 1.0. Affected by this issue is some unknown functionality of the file /admin/candidates_row.php. The manipulation of the argument id leads to sql injection. The attack may be launched remotely. The exploit has been disclosed to the public and may be used. VDB-225938 is the identifier assigned to this vulnerability.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/18/2026
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2023-2053 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 significant security weakness in its administrative interface that could compromise the entire platform. The vulnerability specifically resides in the /admin/candidates_row.php file, which processes administrative requests for candidate management. The flaw occurs when the system fails to properly validate or sanitize the id parameter passed through user input, creating an avenue for malicious actors to execute unauthorized database operations.
The technical nature of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-89, which classifies sql injection as a condition where untrusted data is incorporated into sql commands without proper sanitization. The attack vector is particularly concerning as it can be executed remotely, eliminating the need for physical access or local network privileges. An attacker can manipulate the id argument to inject malicious sql code that bypasses authentication mechanisms and directly interacts with the underlying database. This allows for unauthorized data extraction, modification, or deletion of voting candidate records, potentially affecting the integrity of the entire electoral process.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data compromise, as it threatens the fundamental integrity of online voting systems. Attackers could manipulate candidate information, delete records, or extract sensitive voter data, potentially compromising the democratic process itself. The public disclosure of the exploit, as indicated by VDB-225938, increases the risk profile significantly since threat actors can immediately leverage this knowledge without requiring additional reconnaissance. The vulnerability affects the system's administrative functionality, which is critical for maintaining the accuracy and security of voting candidate information, making it a prime target for malicious actors seeking to disrupt electoral processes or gain unauthorized access to sensitive information.
Mitigation strategies should focus on immediate patching of the affected system, implementing proper input validation, and applying parameterized queries to prevent sql injection attacks. Organizations should also implement network segmentation to limit access to administrative interfaces and establish monitoring protocols for unusual database access patterns. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of secure coding practices and proper input sanitization in web applications, particularly those handling sensitive data. Security teams should conduct comprehensive penetration testing to identify similar vulnerabilities in related systems and implement defense-in-depth strategies. Additionally, regular security audits and vulnerability assessments should be performed to ensure that all components of online voting systems maintain adequate security postures against evolving threats.