CVE-2024-10420 in Attendance and Payroll System
Summary
by MITRE • 10/27/2024
A vulnerability classified as critical has been found in SourceCodester Attendance and Payroll System 1.0. This affects the function upload of the file /marimar/guest/update.php. The manipulation of the argument image leads to unrestricted upload. It is possible to initiate the attack remotely. The exploit has been disclosed to the public and may be used.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/29/2024
This critical vulnerability exists in the SourceCodester Attendance and Payroll System version 1.0 within the file /marimar/guest/update.php where the upload function fails to properly validate file types. The flaw specifically occurs when processing the image argument parameter, allowing attackers to bypass file type restrictions and upload malicious files without proper authorization. The vulnerability represents a classic unrestricted file upload issue that falls under CWE-434, which describes the dangerous practice of accepting files without proper validation of their content or type. This weakness enables attackers to execute arbitrary code on the target system through the upload of malicious scripts or binaries.
The remote exploitation capability of this vulnerability makes it particularly dangerous as attackers can leverage it from external networks without requiring physical access to the system. The exploit has been publicly disclosed, significantly increasing the risk of widespread abuse across vulnerable installations. When an attacker successfully uploads a malicious file through this unrestricted upload function, they can potentially gain complete control over the affected server, leading to data breaches, system compromise, and further lateral movement within network environments. This vulnerability directly maps to attack techniques described in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under T1190 for Exploit Public-Facing Application and T1059 for Command and Scripting Interpreter.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond immediate code execution capabilities as it can serve as a foothold for more sophisticated attacks including privilege escalation, data exfiltration, and persistence mechanisms. Organizations running this specific version of the attendance and payroll system face significant risk of unauthorized access and potential system compromise. The vulnerability's classification as critical indicates that it poses an immediate threat requiring urgent remediation. Security teams should prioritize patching this vulnerability as soon as possible, as the public disclosure of the exploit means that automated attacks may already be targeting vulnerable systems. The lack of proper input validation in the file upload process creates an attack surface that can be exploited for various malicious activities including web shell deployment, database compromise, and denial of service conditions.
Mitigation strategies should include immediate implementation of file type validation, restriction of upload directories, and proper file content verification mechanisms. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls to detect and block suspicious upload attempts. The fix requires proper sanitization of uploaded files, enforcement of strict file type checks, and removal of any unnecessary file upload functionality. Additionally, network segmentation and monitoring of upload activities should be implemented to detect potential exploitation attempts. Regular security audits and vulnerability assessments should be conducted to identify similar issues in other applications within the organization's attack surface, as this type of vulnerability commonly appears in web applications lacking proper security controls.