CVE-2023-3617 in Best POS Management System
Summary
by MITRE • 07/11/2023
A vulnerability was found in SourceCodester Best POS Management System 1.0. It has been classified as critical. This affects an unknown part of the file admin_class.php of the component Login Page. The manipulation of the argument username leads to sql injection. It is possible to initiate the attack remotely. The exploit has been disclosed to the public and may be used. The identifier VDB-233565 was assigned to this vulnerability.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/28/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2023-3617 represents a critical sql injection flaw within the SourceCodester Best POS Management System version 1.0, specifically targeting the admin_class.php file in the Login Page component. This vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and sanitization of user-provided data, creating a pathway for malicious actors to manipulate database queries through the username parameter. The flaw exists in the authentication mechanism where user credentials are processed without proper sanitization, allowing attackers to inject malicious sql code that can be executed by the underlying database system. The vulnerability's classification as critical indicates the severe potential impact on system security and data integrity, as sql injection attacks can lead to complete database compromise, data exfiltration, and unauthorized access to sensitive information.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through remote manipulation of the username argument in the login page functionality. When a user submits a username through the login interface, the application fails to properly validate or sanitize the input before incorporating it into sql queries. Attackers can craft malicious username inputs containing sql payload sequences that bypass normal authentication procedures and directly manipulate the database operations. This allows for unauthorized access to user accounts, data extraction, and potentially full system compromise. The vulnerability's remote exploitability means attackers do not require physical access to the system, making it particularly dangerous as it can be exploited from any location with internet connectivity. The disclosed exploit code (VDB-233565) demonstrates the practical feasibility of this attack vector, enabling threat actors to leverage this weakness without requiring advanced technical skills.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple authentication bypass, potentially enabling attackers to execute arbitrary database commands with the privileges of the database user account. Successful exploitation could result in complete data loss, unauthorized modification of business records, financial data theft, and user credential compromise. In a point-of-sale environment, this vulnerability poses significant risks to transaction integrity, customer information protection, and overall business continuity. The attack surface is particularly concerning given that this affects a core authentication component, meaning any successful exploitation could provide attackers with persistent access to the system. The vulnerability's presence in a commercial software solution like the Best POS Management System increases the risk of widespread exploitation across multiple installations, as the same vulnerability exists in potentially hundreds or thousands of deployed systems.
Organizations utilizing this software must implement immediate mitigations to protect against exploitation of this vulnerability. The primary remediation involves implementing proper input validation and sanitization techniques, specifically employing parameterized queries or prepared statements to prevent sql injection attacks. All user inputs should be rigorously validated against expected formats and sanitized before processing, with strict adherence to secure coding practices. Network-level protections such as web application firewalls and intrusion detection systems should be configured to monitor for sql injection patterns and block suspicious requests. Additionally, the affected software version should be updated to a patched release if available, or the application should be migrated to a more secure alternative. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to identify similar issues in other components of the system, as this vulnerability demonstrates poor input handling practices that may exist elsewhere in the application codebase. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under T1190 (Exploit Public-Facing Application) and T1071.004 (Application Layer Protocol: DNS), highlighting the need for comprehensive network monitoring and application security controls to prevent exploitation.