CVE-2023-3149 in Online Discussion Forum Site
Summary
by MITRE • 06/07/2023
A vulnerability was found in SourceCodester Online Discussion Forum Site 1.0. It has been classified as critical. Affected is an unknown function of the file admin\user\manage_user.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. VDB-231018 is the identifier assigned to this vulnerability.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/30/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2023-3149 represents a critical sql injection flaw within the SourceCodester Online Discussion Forum Site version 1.0 software ecosystem. This security weakness resides in the administrative user management component, specifically within the admin\user\manage_user.php file where improper input validation occurs during the processing of user identifiers. The vulnerability stems from the application's failure to adequately sanitize or escape user-supplied data before incorporating it into database query constructs, creating an exploitable condition that allows malicious actors to manipulate the underlying database operations through crafted input parameters.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through the manipulation of the id argument parameter within the manage_user.php script, which serves as the primary attack vector for sql injection attacks. When an attacker submits a maliciously crafted id value, the application fails to properly validate or escape this input before executing database queries, potentially allowing attackers to inject arbitrary sql commands. This flaw enables attackers to execute unauthorized database operations including data extraction, modification, or deletion, while also potentially gaining elevated privileges within the application's administrative interface. The remote exploitability aspect means that attackers can leverage this vulnerability without requiring physical access to the target system, making it particularly dangerous for web applications that are publicly accessible.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data compromise, as it represents a critical threat to the overall security posture of the online discussion forum platform. Successful exploitation could result in complete database compromise, unauthorized administrative access, data leakage of user credentials and personal information, and potential lateral movement within the affected network infrastructure. The vulnerability's classification as critical indicates that it presents a severe risk to system integrity and confidentiality, potentially allowing attackers to establish persistent access to the platform's administrative functions while maintaining stealthy operations that could go undetected for extended periods. This type of vulnerability directly violates security principles outlined in the common weakness enumeration CWE-89, which specifically addresses sql injection vulnerabilities.
Organizations utilizing this vulnerable software must implement immediate mitigations to protect against exploitation attempts. The primary recommended approach involves implementing proper input validation and parameterized queries to prevent malicious sql code execution. Additionally, the principle of least privilege should be enforced by limiting database permissions for the application's database user accounts, ensuring that even if exploitation occurs, attackers cannot escalate privileges or access unrelated database resources. Network-level protections such as web application firewalls should be deployed to monitor and block suspicious sql injection patterns. The vulnerability's public disclosure status, as indicated by VDB-231018, necessitates urgent remediation efforts and comprehensive security assessments to identify potential exploitation attempts. Regular security updates and patch management procedures should be implemented to prevent similar vulnerabilities from emerging in future versions of the platform. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under the T1190 technique for exploit public-facing application, emphasizing the need for robust application security controls and continuous monitoring of vulnerable components within the attack surface.