CVE-2023-41524 in Student Attendance Management System
Summary
by MITRE • 08/07/2025
Student Attendance Management System v1 was discovered to contain a SQL injection vulnerability via the username parameter at index.php.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/09/2025
The Student Attendance Management System version 1 suffers from a critical SQL injection vulnerability that exploits the username parameter within the index.php file. This vulnerability represents a fundamental flaw in input validation and query construction that allows malicious actors to manipulate database queries through crafted user input. The vulnerability occurs when the application fails to properly sanitize or escape user-supplied data before incorporating it into SQL commands, creating an attack surface where adversaries can execute arbitrary database operations. Such a flaw directly violates security principles outlined in the OWASP Top Ten 2021, specifically targeting injection vulnerabilities that rank among the most critical web application security risks.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when an attacker submits malicious input through the username parameter, which gets directly embedded into SQL queries without proper sanitization. This allows attackers to manipulate the intended database behavior by injecting SQL syntax or commands that can extract, modify, or delete sensitive data. The vulnerability stems from improper input handling mechanisms and lacks adequate parameterized query implementations that would prevent such injection attacks. According to CWE-89, this represents a classic SQL injection flaw where untrusted data flows into SQL commands, creating an environment where attackers can bypass authentication, access unauthorized data, or even compromise the entire database system.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft to encompass complete system compromise and unauthorized access to sensitive educational information. Attackers could potentially extract student records, attendance data, personal identifiers, and other confidential information stored within the database. The vulnerability affects the system's integrity and confidentiality, as unauthorized parties could modify attendance records or manipulate user accounts. This weakness creates a persistent threat that remains active until proper patches are applied, potentially allowing attackers to maintain long-term access to the system. The attack surface is particularly concerning in educational environments where privacy regulations such as FERPA apply, making the exposure of student data a serious compliance and legal issue.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on implementing proper input validation and parameterized queries to prevent SQL injection attacks. The system must employ prepared statements or parameterized queries that separate SQL code from user input, ensuring that malicious input cannot alter the intended query structure. Additionally, implementing proper authentication mechanisms, input sanitization, and output encoding will significantly reduce the risk of exploitation. Security measures should include regular code reviews, vulnerability scanning, and adherence to secure coding practices as outlined in the OWASP Secure Coding Practices. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls and database activity monitoring to detect and prevent exploitation attempts, while maintaining up-to-date patches and security configurations to protect against similar vulnerabilities. The remediation process must include comprehensive testing to ensure that the implemented fixes do not introduce new security issues while maintaining the system's functionality and user experience.