CVE-2023-2151 in Student Study Center Desk Management System
Summary
by MITRE • 04/18/2023
A vulnerability, which was classified as critical, was found in SourceCodester Student Study Center Desk Management System 1.0. Affected is an unknown function of the file manage_student.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-226272.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/07/2024
This critical sql injection vulnerability exists within the SourceCodester Student Study Center Desk Management System version 1.0, specifically affecting the manage_student.php file. The flaw manifests when an attacker manipulates the id parameter, allowing malicious sql commands to be executed against the underlying database. This vulnerability represents a severe security risk as it permits unauthorized access to sensitive student data and system resources. The exploit is publicly available and can be leveraged remotely, making it particularly dangerous for organizations that have not yet patched their systems. The vulnerability's classification as critical indicates the potential for significant data breaches, system compromise, and unauthorized administrative access to the management system.
The technical implementation of this sql injection flaw occurs through improper input validation within the manage_student.php script. When user-supplied id parameters are directly incorporated into sql queries without adequate sanitization or parameterization, attackers can inject malicious sql payloads that bypass authentication mechanisms and execute arbitrary database commands. This vulnerability directly maps to CWE-89, which describes sql injection flaws where untrusted data is embedded into sql queries without proper escaping or parameterization. The attack vector is remote, meaning that malicious actors can exploit this vulnerability from external networks without requiring physical access to the system. The exploit code available in VDB-226272 demonstrates how attackers can manipulate the id parameter to extract database contents, modify student records, or potentially escalate privileges within the system.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft, as it can enable complete system compromise and unauthorized administrative control. Attackers could potentially access personal student information, academic records, and other sensitive data stored within the database. The remote exploit capability means that organizations cannot rely solely on network segmentation or firewall rules to protect against this threat. This vulnerability creates opportunities for advanced persistent threats where attackers can maintain long-term access to the system while remaining undetected. The exploitation could result in regulatory compliance violations, reputational damage, and significant financial losses due to potential data breaches and system downtime.
Organizations should immediately implement multiple layers of defense to protect against this sql injection vulnerability. The primary mitigation strategy involves patching the affected system with the latest security updates provided by the vendor or implementing proper input validation and parameterized queries in the manage_student.php file. Database access controls should be reviewed and restricted to minimize the impact of potential exploitation. Network monitoring should be enhanced to detect suspicious sql injection attempts, and intrusion detection systems should be configured to alert on known exploit patterns. Additionally, implementing web application firewalls can help filter malicious requests before they reach the vulnerable application components. Security teams should also conduct comprehensive vulnerability assessments to identify similar sql injection flaws in other applications within their infrastructure, as this vulnerability type remains one of the most prevalent and dangerous threats in web applications according to the att&ck framework's web application attacks category.