CVE-2023-4191 in Resort Reservation System
Summary
by MITRE • 08/07/2023
A vulnerability, which was classified as critical, has been found in SourceCodester Resort Reservation System 1.0. Affected by this issue is some unknown functionality of the file index.php. The manipulation of the argument page leads to file inclusion. The attack may be launched remotely. The exploit has been disclosed to the public and may be used. VDB-236234 is the identifier assigned to this vulnerability.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/30/2023
This critical vulnerability in SourceCodester Resort Reservation System 1.0 represents a classic remote file inclusion flaw that poses significant security risks to web applications. The vulnerability exists within the index.php file where the page parameter is not properly sanitized, allowing attackers to manipulate input and potentially include arbitrary files from remote servers. This type of vulnerability falls under CWE-88, which specifically addresses improper neutralization of special elements used in an expression, and more broadly under CWE-94, which encompasses improper control of generation of code. The attack vector is remote, meaning that an adversary can exploit this weakness without requiring physical access to the target system, making it particularly dangerous for web applications that are publicly accessible.
The technical flaw manifests when the application directly incorporates user-supplied input into file inclusion operations without proper validation or sanitization. When an attacker manipulates the page argument parameter, they can potentially inject malicious file paths or URLs that will be executed by the vulnerable application. This creates a pathway for attackers to execute arbitrary code on the target server, potentially leading to complete system compromise. The vulnerability's classification as critical indicates that it can be exploited without authentication and can result in significant damage to the application's security posture. The public disclosure of the exploit (VDB-236234) means that threat actors can readily leverage this weakness, significantly increasing the risk to affected systems.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability could enable attackers to gain unauthorized access to sensitive data, execute malicious commands, and potentially establish persistent backdoors within the target environment. The remote exploitation capability means that attackers can target the system from anywhere on the internet, making it difficult to contain or trace the attack. The vulnerability may also allow for privilege escalation if the application runs with elevated permissions, potentially leading to full system compromise. Organizations using this specific version of the resort reservation system face immediate risk of data breaches, service disruption, and potential regulatory compliance violations. The attack surface extends beyond simple code execution to include potential data exfiltration, system reconnaissance, and further lateral movement within the network.
Mitigation strategies should focus on implementing proper input validation and sanitization for all user-supplied parameters, particularly those used in file inclusion operations. The recommended approach involves using allowlists to restrict the values that can be passed to the page parameter, ensuring that only predefined, safe values are accepted. Additionally, implementing proper parameter validation and using secure coding practices such as those recommended in the OWASP Top Ten can significantly reduce the risk of exploitation. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls to detect and block malicious requests attempting to exploit this vulnerability. Regular security updates and patches should be applied immediately upon availability, as this vulnerability has been publicly disclosed and is actively being exploited. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under T1213, which involves data from information repositories, and T1059, which covers command and scripting interpreter, indicating that attackers may use this vulnerability to establish persistent access and execute commands on the compromised system.