CVE-2023-2770 in Online Exam System
Summary
by MITRE • 05/17/2023
A vulnerability classified as critical was found in SourceCodester Online Exam System 1.0. This vulnerability affects unknown code of the file /kelasdosen/data. The manipulation of the argument columns[1][data] leads to sql injection. The attack can be initiated remotely. The exploit has been disclosed to the public and may be used. The identifier of this vulnerability is VDB-229276.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/10/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2023-2770 represents a critical sql injection flaw within the SourceCodester Online Exam System version 1.0. This system, designed for educational institutions to conduct online examinations, contains a dangerous input validation weakness that directly impacts the /kelasdosen/data file component. The vulnerability stems from insufficient sanitization of user-supplied data, specifically the columns[1][data] parameter which serves as an entry point for malicious sql commands. The flaw allows attackers to manipulate database queries through carefully crafted input sequences that bypass normal security controls and directly interact with the underlying database infrastructure.
This sql injection vulnerability operates through a remote attack vector, meaning that malicious actors can exploit the flaw without requiring physical access to the target system. The attack surface is particularly concerning as it enables unauthorized data access, modification, and potential complete database compromise. The vulnerability's classification as critical reflects the severity of potential impact including data breaches, unauthorized access to exam records, student information, and administrative data. The disclosure of exploit details in the public domain significantly increases the risk as threat actors can readily leverage this knowledge to target vulnerable installations. The VDB-229276 identifier indicates this vulnerability has been catalogued in vulnerability databases, further amplifying its discoverability by malicious parties.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft to encompass complete system compromise and potential disruption of educational services. Attackers could extract sensitive information including student grades, exam answers, administrator credentials, and institutional data. The sql injection attack could also enable privilege escalation, allowing unauthorized users to gain administrative access to the system. Database integrity may be compromised through data modification or deletion operations, potentially rendering the online examination system unusable. Organizations relying on this platform face significant regulatory and compliance risks, particularly if student data is involved, as such breaches would likely violate data protection regulations and educational privacy laws.
Mitigation strategies should focus on immediate input validation and parameterized query implementation to prevent sql injection exploitation. The system requires comprehensive code review to sanitize all user inputs, particularly those processed through the /kelasdosen/data endpoint. Implementing proper access controls and database permissions can limit the damage if exploitation occurs. Organizations should deploy web application firewalls to detect and block malicious sql injection attempts. Regular security updates and patches should be applied immediately upon availability, while input sanitization measures must be strengthened throughout the application. The implementation of principle of least privilege for database connections and regular security audits can significantly reduce the attack surface. Additionally, monitoring systems should be enhanced to detect unusual database access patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-89 sql injection weakness category and represents a typical attack pattern documented in the mitre ATT&CK framework under database access and credential access techniques.