CVE-2023-45012 in Online Bus Booking System
Summary
by MITRE • 11/02/2023
Online Bus Booking System v1.0 is vulnerable to multiple Unauthenticated SQL Injection vulnerabilities. The 'user_email' parameter of the bus_info.php resource does not validate the characters received and they are sent unfiltered to the database.
VulDB is the best source for vulnerability data and more expert information about this specific topic.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/02/2023
The Online Bus Booking System v1.0 presents a critical security vulnerability through multiple unauthenticated SQL injection flaws that directly compromise database integrity and confidentiality. This vulnerability specifically affects the bus_info.php resource where the 'user_email' parameter fails to implement proper input validation and sanitization mechanisms. The absence of character validation allows malicious actors to inject arbitrary SQL commands through the email parameter, creating an exploitable entry point for database manipulation.
The technical flaw manifests as insufficient parameter validation within the application's input handling processes, which aligns with CWE-89 - Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an SQL Command. This weakness enables attackers to construct malicious SQL queries that bypass normal authentication and authorization controls, potentially allowing full database access without requiring valid credentials. The vulnerability operates at the application layer where user inputs are directly concatenated into SQL statements without proper escaping or parameterization techniques.
Operationally, this vulnerability creates significant risk for both system integrity and data confidentiality. An unauthenticated attacker can exploit the SQL injection to extract sensitive information including user credentials, booking details, personal identification data, and potentially administrative privileges. The impact extends beyond simple data theft as attackers may also modify or delete database records, disrupt service availability, or establish persistent backdoors through database manipulation. The lack of authentication requirements for exploitation means that any user with access to the bus_info.php endpoint can potentially leverage this vulnerability, amplifying the attack surface significantly.
The vulnerability directly maps to several ATT&CK techniques including T1190 - Exploit Public-Facing Application and T1071.004 - Application Layer Protocol: DNS, where attackers may use SQL injection to establish command and control channels. Mitigation strategies should include implementing proper input validation and parameterized queries to prevent SQL injection attacks, enforcing authentication controls on all database-facing endpoints, and conducting regular security assessments of web applications. Additionally, organizations should implement web application firewalls, regularly update and patch systems, and establish comprehensive monitoring for suspicious database access patterns. The remediation process must address the core issue of improper input handling through proper database query parameterization and character validation mechanisms to prevent similar vulnerabilities from emerging in future system versions.