CVE-2023-2672 in Lost and Found Information System
Summary
by MITRE • 05/12/2023
A vulnerability classified as critical has been found in SourceCodester Lost and Found Information System 1.0. Affected is an unknown function of the file items/view.php of the component GET Parameter Handler. The manipulation of the argument id leads to sql injection. It is possible to launch the attack remotely. The identifier of this vulnerability is VDB-228888.
Be aware that VulDB is the high quality source for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/08/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2023-2672 represents a critical sql injection flaw within the SourceCodester Lost and Found Information System version 1.0. This vulnerability specifically targets the GET parameter handler functionality within the items/view.php file, making it a significant security risk for systems utilizing this software. The flaw allows attackers to manipulate the id parameter through malicious input, potentially compromising the underlying database infrastructure. The vulnerability's classification as critical indicates the severe potential impact on system integrity and data confidentiality, with the ability to execute arbitrary sql commands against the database backend. This particular weakness falls under the CWE-89 category, which specifically addresses sql injection vulnerabilities where untrusted data is incorporated into sql queries without proper sanitization or parameterization.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft, as it enables attackers to perform complete database compromise operations including data exfiltration, modification of critical records, and potential privilege escalation within the application's database layer. Remote exploitation capabilities mean that attackers do not require physical access to the system or local network presence to execute this attack, making it particularly dangerous for web-facing applications. The vulnerability's presence in the GET parameter handler suggests that any user interaction with the items/view.php endpoint could serve as an attack vector, potentially allowing unauthorized users to manipulate the application's database through crafted url parameters. This represents a fundamental breakdown in input validation and query construction practices, where user-supplied data flows directly into sql execution contexts without appropriate sanitization measures.
Security practitioners should recognize this vulnerability as a prime candidate for exploitation within automated attack frameworks targeting web applications, particularly those using php frameworks or custom implementations that fail to properly escape or parameterize user inputs. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under the T1190 technique for exploitation of remote services, while also mapping to T1071.004 for application layer protocol usage in data exfiltration scenarios. Organizations running this specific version of the Lost and Found Information System should implement immediate mitigations including input validation, parameterized queries, and web application firewall rules to block malicious parameter values. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper input sanitization and the dangerous consequences of failing to implement basic security controls such as prepared statements or proper escape sequences in sql query construction. Remediation efforts must include code review to ensure all database interactions properly validate and sanitize user inputs, with additional monitoring and logging to detect potential exploitation attempts.
The presence of this vulnerability in a lost and found information system raises particular concerns about sensitive data exposure, as such applications typically handle personal information, property descriptions, and user contact details that could be valuable to threat actors. The remote exploitability means that this vulnerability could be leveraged by attackers from anywhere on the internet, potentially leading to widespread data breaches affecting multiple users and organizations. The specific targeting of the items/view.php endpoint suggests that this may be a core functionality component, making the impact more significant than a simple denial of service scenario. Organizations should also consider implementing additional security controls such as database activity monitoring, regular security assessments, and proper access controls to limit the potential damage from successful exploitation attempts. The vulnerability highlights the ongoing need for security awareness in custom application development, where lack of proper security coding practices can lead to severe consequences that affect both system availability and data integrity.