CVE-2024-0466 in Employee Profile Management System
Summary
by MITRE • 01/12/2024
A vulnerability, which was classified as critical, has been found in code-projects Employee Profile Management System 1.0. This issue affects some unknown processing of the file file_table.php. The manipulation of the argument per_id leads to sql injection. The exploit has been disclosed to the public and may be used. The associated identifier of this vulnerability is VDB-250571.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/02/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2024-0466 represents a critical sql injection flaw within the code-projects Employee Profile Management System version 1.0. This system, designed for managing employee information, contains a dangerous processing flaw in the file_table.php component that directly impacts how user input is handled. The vulnerability specifically manifests when the per_id parameter is processed, creating an avenue for malicious actors to manipulate database queries through crafted input. The disclosure of this exploit to the public community significantly increases the risk surface, as threat actors can now leverage this weakness without requiring advanced technical skills to develop custom attack vectors. The critical classification indicates that this vulnerability can lead to complete system compromise, data exfiltration, and potential lateral movement within affected networks. The vulnerability's impact extends beyond simple data theft, as sql injection attacks can enable attackers to execute arbitrary commands on the database server, potentially leading to full system takeover. This flaw directly maps to CWE-89 which categorizes sql injection vulnerabilities as a fundamental weakness in software applications where untrusted data is incorporated into sql queries without proper sanitization or parameterization.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and improper parameter handling within the file_table.php script. When the per_id argument is passed to the system, the application fails to properly sanitize or escape this input before incorporating it into database queries. This lack of proper input filtering creates a direct pathway for attackers to inject malicious sql code through the per_id parameter, allowing them to manipulate the underlying database structure. The exploitation process typically involves crafting specific payloads that can bypass authentication mechanisms, extract sensitive information, modify database records, or even execute system commands on the server. The vulnerability's presence in a file management system specifically indicates that attackers could potentially access employee records, personal identification information, and other sensitive data stored within the database. This weakness aligns with ATT&CK technique T1071.004 which describes application layer protocol manipulation, and T1046 which involves network service scanning that could precede sql injection exploitation. The attack surface is particularly concerning given that employee profile systems often contain highly sensitive personal data including social security numbers, addresses, contact information, and employment history that would be valuable to cybercriminals.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends far beyond immediate data compromise, as it can lead to cascading security failures within organizations that rely on the affected system. Successful exploitation could result in unauthorized access to employee databases containing confidential information that may be used for identity theft, social engineering attacks, or insider trading activities. Organizations using this system face potential regulatory violations under data protection frameworks such as gdpr, hipaa, or other privacy legislation depending on their jurisdiction and the nature of employee data stored. The vulnerability's public disclosure means that automated scanning tools and threat actors can readily identify and exploit systems running the affected software version, significantly reducing the time window for organizations to implement protective measures. Recovery from such an attack could involve extensive forensic analysis, database reconstruction, system reinstallation, and potential legal consequences. The attack vector specifically targets the per_id parameter which suggests that any interface allowing user input for employee identification could serve as an entry point, making the vulnerability particularly pervasive across the system's functionality.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2024-0466 must address both immediate remediation and long-term security hardening measures. Organizations should prioritize applying vendor patches or updates as soon as they become available, while simultaneously implementing input validation controls to prevent sql injection attacks. The implementation of prepared statements or parameterized queries should be enforced throughout the application to ensure that user input cannot be interpreted as sql code. Network segmentation and access controls should be implemented to limit exposure of the vulnerable system, while regular security assessments and penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities. Security monitoring should be enhanced to detect unusual database access patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts, and comprehensive logging should be maintained to support forensic investigations. Additionally, organizations should consider implementing web application firewalls to provide an additional layer of protection against sql injection attacks. The vulnerability highlights the importance of following secure coding practices and conducting regular security reviews of all database interactions within web applications. Regular security awareness training for developers should emphasize the critical importance of input validation and parameterized queries to prevent similar vulnerabilities from being introduced in future code developments.