CVE-2024-10424 in Student Project Allocation System
Summary
by MITRE • 10/27/2024
A vulnerability has been found in Project Worlds Student Project Allocation System 1.0 and classified as critical. Affected by this vulnerability is an unknown functionality of the file /student/project_selection/remove_project.php of the component Project Selection Page. The manipulation of the argument no leads to sql injection. The attack can be launched 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
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2024-10424 represents a critical SQL injection flaw within the Project Worlds Student Project Allocation System version 1.0. This system, designed for managing student project assignments, contains a dangerous weakness in its project selection page functionality that exposes sensitive data and system integrity to malicious actors. The vulnerability specifically resides in the remove_project.php file, which processes student project removal requests through the no parameter, creating an attack surface that allows unauthorized data access and manipulation.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and sanitization within the project selection component. When a user interacts with the project removal functionality, the system fails to properly escape or validate the no parameter before incorporating it into SQL database queries. This omission creates a classic SQL injection attack vector where malicious input can be crafted to manipulate the underlying database queries, potentially allowing attackers to extract confidential information, modify student records, or even gain administrative privileges within the system. The vulnerability's classification as critical reflects the severity of potential data compromise and system disruption that could occur from exploitation.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft, encompassing potential system compromise and unauthorized access to student information. Remote exploitation capabilities mean that attackers do not require physical access to the system or local network presence to leverage this vulnerability. This remote attack surface increases the risk profile significantly, as malicious actors can potentially target the system from anywhere on the internet. The disclosed exploit availability further amplifies the threat level, as security researchers and malicious actors alike can readily utilize this vulnerability against affected systems without requiring additional reconnaissance or development time.
Organizations utilizing this student project allocation system face substantial risk of data breaches, privacy violations, and potential regulatory compliance issues. The vulnerability could expose sensitive student information including personal details, academic records, and project assignments that may have implications for both individual privacy and institutional security. Security professionals should immediately assess their deployment of this system and implement mitigation strategies to protect against exploitation attempts. The attack vector aligns with common penetration testing methodologies targeting web application vulnerabilities, and the presence of a public exploit increases the probability of successful attacks against unpatched systems.
The vulnerability demonstrates a clear violation of secure coding practices and represents a failure to implement proper input validation and parameterized queries. According to CWE standards, this vulnerability falls under CWE-89 SQL Injection, which specifically addresses the improper handling of database query construction. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this as a database access technique, potentially enabling further lateral movement within compromised systems. Organizations should implement comprehensive security measures including input validation, parameterized queries, web application firewalls, and regular security assessments to prevent exploitation of this and similar vulnerabilities. The incident underscores the critical importance of maintaining up-to-date security practices and the necessity of thorough code review processes to identify and remediate such dangerous flaws before they can be exploited by malicious actors.