CVE-2023-3151 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 rated as critical. Affected by this issue is some unknown functionality of the file user\manage_user.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-231020.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/30/2025
This critical sql injection vulnerability exists in the SourceCodester Online Discussion Forum Site version 1.0, specifically within the user\manage_user.php file. The flaw occurs when the application fails to properly sanitize or validate the id parameter before incorporating it into sql query constructions, creating an exploitable pathway for malicious actors to manipulate database operations through crafted input values. The vulnerability's remote attack vector means that adversaries can potentially exploit this weakness without requiring physical access to the target system, making it particularly dangerous in web-facing applications.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability follows standard sql injection patterns where an attacker can inject malicious sql code through the id parameter, potentially gaining unauthorized access to database contents, modifying user information, or executing administrative commands on the underlying database system. This type of vulnerability falls under the common weakness enumeration CWE-89 which categorizes sql injection flaws as critical security weaknesses that allow attackers to manipulate database queries. The attack can be executed through web browser interfaces or automated tools, leveraging the exposed parameter to bypass normal authentication and authorization mechanisms.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft, as successful exploitation could lead to complete system compromise, user account takeovers, data exfiltration, and potential lateral movement within network environments. Organizations running this specific forum software version face significant risk of unauthorized data access, user credential compromise, and potential service disruption. The public disclosure of the exploit (VDB-231020) increases the threat surface significantly, as malicious actors can readily implement the attack without requiring advanced technical skills. This vulnerability directly maps to several ATT&CK techniques including T1190 for exploit public-facing applications and T1071.004 for application layer protocol usage.
Mitigation strategies should include immediate patching of the affected software version, implementing proper input validation and parameterized queries, and conducting thorough security assessments of all user input handling mechanisms. Organizations should also deploy web application firewalls to monitor and filter malicious sql injection attempts, implement least privilege database access controls, and establish robust monitoring systems to detect unauthorized database access patterns. The remediation process must involve comprehensive code review of the user\manage_user.php file to ensure all database interactions properly utilize prepared statements or parameterized queries, eliminating the possibility of sql injection through user-supplied input parameters.