CVE-2023-52285 in ExamSys
Summary
by MITRE • 01/17/2024
ExamSys 9150244 allows SQL Injection via the /Support/action/Pages.php s_score2 parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/18/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2023-52285 represents a critical SQL injection flaw within the ExamSys 9150244 application system. This vulnerability specifically affects the /Support/action/Pages.php endpoint where the s_score2 parameter is processed without adequate input validation or sanitization measures. The flaw enables malicious actors to inject arbitrary SQL commands into the database query execution flow, potentially compromising the entire backend database infrastructure. Such vulnerabilities fall under the Common Weakness Enumeration category CWE-89 which specifically addresses SQL injection weaknesses in software applications. The attack vector exploits the lack of proper parameter sanitization, allowing attackers to manipulate database queries through crafted input values that are directly incorporated into SQL statements without appropriate escaping or encoding mechanisms.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft, as it provides attackers with potentially full administrative control over the database backend. An attacker could extract sensitive information including user credentials, personal identification data, academic records, and system configuration details. The vulnerability's presence in the support action pages suggests that it may affect administrative functions within the examination system, potentially allowing unauthorized access to grading mechanisms, student performance data, and system management interfaces. This type of attack aligns with ATT&CK technique T1071.004 which covers application layer protocol manipulation, specifically targeting database communication channels through injection attacks.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability must address both immediate remediation and long-term security hardening measures. The primary fix involves implementing proper input validation and parameterized queries throughout the application codebase, particularly focusing on the s_score2 parameter handling within the Pages.php file. Database access should be restricted through principle of least privilege configurations, ensuring that application accounts have minimal required permissions. Input sanitization mechanisms must be strengthened to prevent any special characters from being interpreted as SQL syntax. Additionally, implementing web application firewalls and intrusion detection systems can help monitor and block suspicious SQL injection attempts. Regular security assessments and code reviews should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities across other application endpoints, as the presence of one SQL injection vulnerability often indicates potential for additional weaknesses within the same codebase. The remediation process should also include comprehensive testing to verify that all database interactions properly handle potentially malicious inputs without compromising system functionality or data integrity.