CVE-2023-7097 in Water Billing System
Summary
by MITRE • 12/25/2023
A vulnerability classified as critical has been found in code-projects Water Billing System 1.0. This affects an unknown part of the file /addbill.php. The manipulation of the argument owners_id leads to sql injection. It is possible to initiate the attack remotely. The exploit has been disclosed to the public and may be used. The identifier VDB-248949 was assigned to this vulnerability.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/23/2025
The CVE-2023-7097 vulnerability represents a critical sql injection flaw within the code-projects Water Billing System version 1.0, specifically affecting the /addbill.php component. This vulnerability resides in the handling of the owners_id parameter, which serves as a critical entry point for malicious actors to exploit the system's database interactions. The flaw allows attackers to manipulate database queries through improper input validation, potentially compromising the entire billing system infrastructure. The vulnerability's classification as critical stems from its potential to enable full database access and data manipulation capabilities, making it particularly dangerous for any organization relying on the system for billing operations.
The technical implementation of this sql injection vulnerability occurs within the /addbill.php file where the owners_id parameter is directly incorporated into database queries without proper sanitization or parameterization. This flaw falls under CWE-89 which specifically addresses sql injection vulnerabilities, and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1190 which covers exploit public-facing applications. The vulnerability's remote exploitability means that attackers can leverage this flaw from external networks without requiring physical access to the system, significantly expanding the attack surface. The disclosed exploit (VDB-248949) provides attackers with a working proof-of-concept that can be immediately utilized against vulnerable installations.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft to encompass complete system compromise and potential financial fraud. An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability could access sensitive customer billing information, manipulate payment records, and potentially create fraudulent billing entries. The water billing system's nature makes this particularly concerning as it could enable unauthorized access to customer accounts, allowing for billing manipulation that could result in significant financial loss for both customers and the billing system operator. The vulnerability's presence in a billing system also raises concerns about regulatory compliance and data protection requirements, as customer financial information could be exposed or compromised.
Organizations utilizing the code-projects Water Billing System version 1.0 must immediately implement mitigation strategies to address this critical vulnerability. The primary remediation approach involves implementing proper input validation and parameterized queries to ensure that the owners_id parameter cannot be used to manipulate database commands. This aligns with security best practices outlined in OWASP Top 10 and NIST guidelines for preventing sql injection attacks. Additionally, network-level protections such as web application firewalls and intrusion detection systems should be deployed to monitor for exploitation attempts. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to identify similar flaws within the system's codebase, as this vulnerability may indicate broader security issues within the application architecture. The disclosure of the exploit makes immediate action essential to prevent potential compromise of billing systems and customer data.