CVE-2023-48717 in Student Result Management System
Summary
by MITRE • 12/21/2023
Student Result Management System v1.0 is vulnerable to multiple Unauthenticated SQL Injection vulnerabilities. The 'class_name' parameter of the add_classes.php resource does not validate the characters received and they are sent unfiltered to the database.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/22/2023
The Student Result Management System v1.0 presents a critical security vulnerability through multiple unauthenticated SQL injection flaws that compromise the integrity and confidentiality of sensitive educational data. This vulnerability specifically affects the add_classes.php resource where the 'class_name' parameter fails to implement proper input validation mechanisms. The absence of sanitization allows malicious actors to inject arbitrary SQL commands directly into the database query execution pipeline, potentially enabling full database compromise and unauthorized access to student records, academic performance data, and institutional information.
The technical flaw manifests as a classic SQL injection vulnerability classified under CWE-89, where user-supplied input lacks proper validation and sanitization before being incorporated into database queries. The 'class_name' parameter serves as the primary attack vector since it receives unfiltered data directly from user input without any form of parameterized query construction or input filtering. This vulnerability operates at the application layer and can be exploited by unauthenticated attackers who simply need to craft malicious payloads targeting the vulnerable endpoint. The system's failure to implement proper input validation creates a direct pathway for attackers to manipulate database queries and extract, modify, or delete sensitive information.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data exposure to encompass complete system compromise and potential data breaches. Attackers can leverage this weakness to perform unauthorized database operations including data extraction of student grades, personal information, class schedules, and administrative records. The unauthenticated nature of the vulnerability means that no prior access credentials are required, making the system particularly vulnerable to automated exploitation. This vulnerability directly maps to several ATT&CK techniques including T1190 (Exploit Public-Facing Application) and T1071.004 (Application Layer Protocol: DNS) as attackers can manipulate the application's behavior through crafted SQL payloads without requiring privileged access.
Mitigation strategies should focus on implementing proper input validation and parameterized queries throughout the application codebase. The immediate fix involves sanitizing all user inputs through proper escaping mechanisms and implementing prepared statements or parameterized queries for database interactions. Additionally, the system should enforce proper access controls and implement input length restrictions for the class_name parameter. Network-level protections such as web application firewalls and intrusion detection systems can provide additional layers of defense. Regular security assessments and code reviews should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities across other endpoints and parameters within the application. The implementation of proper error handling and logging mechanisms will also aid in detecting and responding to exploitation attempts. Organizations should also consider implementing database activity monitoring to detect anomalous query patterns that may indicate SQL injection attacks.