CVE-2023-7176 in Online College Library System
Summary
by MITRE • 12/30/2023
A vulnerability classified as critical has been found in Campcodes Online College Library System 1.0. This affects an unknown part of the file /admin/return_add.php of the component HTTP POST Request Handler. The manipulation of the argument student 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 associated identifier of this vulnerability is VDB-249363.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/21/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2023-7176 represents a critical sql injection flaw within the Campcodes Online College Library System version 1.0. This security weakness resides in the administrative component specifically within the /admin/return_add.php file where the HTTP POST request handler processes incoming data. The vulnerability is triggered when the student parameter is manipulated during the processing of library return operations, creating an exploitable entry point that allows attackers to execute arbitrary sql commands against the underlying database system. The affected application architecture fails to properly sanitize or validate user input before incorporating it into database queries, creating a direct pathway for malicious data injection.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability demonstrates a classic sql injection attack vector where the student parameter in the HTTP POST request is not adequately filtered or escaped before being processed by the database engine. This flaw enables attackers to construct malicious sql payloads that can manipulate database operations, potentially leading to unauthorized data access, modification, or deletion. The vulnerability's remote exploitability means that malicious actors can leverage this weakness without requiring physical access to the system or local network presence, making it particularly dangerous for web-facing applications. The disclosed exploit code available in VDB-249363 provides attackers with a ready-made tool to target this specific weakness, increasing the likelihood of successful exploitation across various deployment scenarios.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data compromise, as it can enable attackers to escalate privileges within the library management system and potentially gain deeper access to the underlying infrastructure. The sql injection vulnerability allows for data exfiltration of student records, library inventory information, and potentially sensitive institutional data that could be used for identity theft, academic fraud, or further targeting of the educational institution. The administrative nature of the affected component means that successful exploitation could provide attackers with full control over the library management functions, including the ability to manipulate return records, alter student information, or even introduce malicious entries that could persist within the system. This vulnerability directly maps to CWE-89 which categorizes sql injection as a fundamental weakness in software design and implementation.
Organizations utilizing this library system should implement immediate mitigations including input validation, parameterized queries, and proper output encoding to prevent sql injection attacks. The recommended defensive measures include implementing web application firewalls that can detect and block sql injection patterns, conducting thorough code reviews to identify similar vulnerabilities in other components, and applying the latest security patches provided by Campcodes. Additionally, implementing principle of least privilege access controls for the database and regular security auditing of the library management system can help reduce the potential impact of such vulnerabilities. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under T1190 - Exploit Public-Facing Application, highlighting the need for comprehensive network security monitoring and incident response procedures to detect and respond to exploitation attempts effectively. Organizations should also consider implementing database activity monitoring solutions to detect anomalous sql query patterns that may indicate exploitation of this vulnerability.