CVE-2024-12977 in Complaint Management System
Summary
by MITRE • 12/27/2024
A vulnerability, which was classified as critical, was found in PHPGurukul Complaint Management System 1.0. This affects an unknown part of the file /admin/state.php. The manipulation of the argument state leads to sql injection. 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 • 12/27/2024
This critical vulnerability in PHPGurukul Complaint Management System version 1.0 represents a severe sql injection flaw that compromises the system's database integrity and confidentiality. The vulnerability exists within the administrative component, specifically in the /admin/state.php file where user input is improperly handled. The flaw occurs when the state parameter is processed without adequate sanitization or parameterization, creating an attack surface that allows malicious actors to inject arbitrary sql commands directly into the database query execution pipeline. This particular vulnerability demonstrates a classic sql injection weakness that aligns with CWE-89, which categorizes improper neutralization of special elements used in sql commands as a fundamental security flaw. The remote exploitability of this vulnerability means that attackers can leverage this weakness from external networks without requiring physical access or prior authentication, making it particularly dangerous for production environments.
The operational impact of this sql injection vulnerability extends far beyond simple data theft, as it provides attackers with potentially complete control over the underlying database system. Successful exploitation could enable adversaries to extract sensitive user credentials, complaint records, and system configuration data that would otherwise remain protected. The attack vector through the state parameter suggests that the application's input validation mechanisms are insufficient to prevent malicious sql payloads from being executed. This vulnerability creates opportunities for data manipulation, unauthorized access, and potential system compromise that could affect the entire complaint management infrastructure. The disclosure of the exploit to the public community accelerates the risk timeline, as it provides threat actors with readily available tools and techniques to target vulnerable installations. Organizations running this software are exposed to immediate threats of data breaches, regulatory compliance violations, and potential service disruption.
Security professionals should implement comprehensive mitigation strategies that address both immediate remediation and long-term architectural improvements. The primary mitigation involves implementing proper parameterized queries or prepared statements throughout the application codebase, particularly in the administrative components that handle user input. Input validation and sanitization should be strengthened to prevent malicious sql characters from reaching the database layer, while also implementing proper output encoding to prevent cross-site scripting attacks that could compound the sql injection threat. Network-level protections such as web application firewalls and intrusion prevention systems should be deployed to detect and block sql injection attempts. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of regular security assessments and code reviews, particularly focusing on database interaction points and administrative interfaces. Organizations should also consider implementing database activity monitoring to detect anomalous sql execution patterns that could indicate exploitation attempts. According to ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability maps to T1190 - Exploit Public-Facing Application, which emphasizes the importance of securing externally accessible applications and implementing proper input validation controls to prevent unauthorized database access. Regular patch management and vulnerability scanning should be prioritized to identify and remediate similar issues across the entire software ecosystem.