CVE-2023-2147 in Online Thesis Archiving System
Summary
by MITRE • 04/18/2023
A vulnerability was found in Campcodes Online Thesis Archiving System 1.0. It has been rated as critical. Affected by this issue is some unknown functionality of the file /admin/students/view_details.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. The identifier of this vulnerability is VDB-226268.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/05/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2023-2147 represents a critical sql injection flaw within the Campcodes Online Thesis Archiving System version 1.0, specifically affecting the administrative component located at /admin/students/view_details.php. This vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and sanitization mechanisms within the application's database interaction layer, creating a pathway for malicious actors to manipulate the system's underlying database through crafted input parameters. The flaw manifests when the application processes the id argument without proper sanitization, allowing attackers to inject malicious sql code that can be executed within the database context.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through remote manipulation of the id parameter within the view_details.php endpoint, which directly interfaces with the system's database. This sql injection vulnerability falls under the CWE-89 classification, which specifically addresses improper neutralization of special elements used in sql commands, making it a direct descendant of the broader category of sql injection attacks. The attack vector is particularly concerning as it requires no local access or authentication, enabling remote exploitation from any location with internet connectivity to the affected system. The vulnerability's public disclosure status, as indicated by the VDB-226268 identifier, means that malicious actors have already developed and made available exploit code, significantly increasing the risk to affected organizations.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends far beyond simple data theft, as successful exploitation can result in complete database compromise, unauthorized data modification, privilege escalation, and potential system takeover. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to extract sensitive student information, manipulate academic records, or even gain administrative control over the entire thesis archiving system. The implications for educational institutions are severe, as they may face regulatory compliance violations under data protection frameworks such as gdpr orFERPA, depending on the jurisdiction and data involved. The vulnerability affects the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of the system's core data, potentially disrupting academic processes and compromising the trust placed in the digital archiving infrastructure.
Organizations utilizing this system must implement immediate mitigations to address this critical vulnerability, including but not limited to input validation, parameterized queries, and web application firewalls. The recommended approach involves implementing proper sql injection prevention techniques such as using prepared statements with parameterized queries, which directly addresses the CWE-89 weakness by ensuring that user input cannot alter the sql command structure. Additionally, implementing comprehensive input sanitization, least privilege access controls, and regular security audits can significantly reduce the attack surface. System administrators should also consider implementing network segmentation, monitoring for suspicious database activity, and establishing incident response procedures to quickly address potential exploitation attempts. The vulnerability's classification as critical according to standard risk assessment methodologies underscores the urgency of immediate remediation, as the combination of remote exploitability and public disclosure creates an elevated threat level that requires immediate attention to prevent potential data breaches and system compromise.