CVE-2024-13039 in Simple Chat System
Summary
by MITRE • 12/30/2024
A vulnerability was found in code-projects Simple Chat System 1.0. It has been rated as critical. Affected by this issue is some unknown functionality of the file /add_user.php. The manipulation of the argument name/email/password/number leads to sql injection. The attack may be launched remotely. The exploit has been disclosed to the public and may be used.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/30/2024
The vulnerability CVE-2024-13039 represents a critical sql injection flaw in the code-projects Simple Chat System version 1.0, specifically within the /add_user.php component. This vulnerability arises from insufficient input validation and sanitization of user-supplied data, particularly affecting parameters including name, email, password, and number fields. The flaw allows attackers to inject malicious sql commands through these input vectors, potentially compromising the entire database system. The vulnerability's critical rating stems from its remote exploitability and the fact that public exploitation details have been disclosed, making it immediately actionable by threat actors. The attack surface extends to any user registration functionality that processes these parameters without proper security controls.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when user input is directly concatenated into sql queries without appropriate parameterization or input sanitization measures. When an attacker submits malicious input through the name, email, password, or number fields in the add_user.php script, the application fails to validate or escape special characters that could alter the intended sql query structure. This allows attackers to manipulate the database query execution flow, potentially enabling unauthorized data access, data modification, or even complete database compromise. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-89 which specifically addresses sql injection flaws, and represents a classic example of insecure input handling that violates fundamental web application security principles. The remote attack vector means that exploitation can occur without requiring local system access, making the vulnerability particularly dangerous.
The operational impact of CVE-2024-13039 extends beyond simple data theft to encompass complete system compromise and potential lateral movement within affected networks. Successful exploitation could result in unauthorized access to user credentials, personal information, chat logs, and potentially sensitive business data stored within the application's database. Attackers might leverage this vulnerability to escalate privileges, modify user accounts, or establish persistent backdoors within the system. The disclosure of exploit details increases the risk profile significantly as it removes the need for advanced technical knowledge to perform the attack. Organizations running this vulnerable software face immediate risk of data breaches, regulatory compliance violations, and potential legal consequences due to inadequate security controls. The vulnerability also impacts the system's integrity and availability, as attackers could potentially corrupt data or cause system disruptions.
Organizations must implement immediate remediation measures to address this critical vulnerability, including applying available patches or updates from the software vendor. The recommended mitigation strategy involves implementing proper input validation and parameterized queries to prevent sql injection attacks. All user inputs should be sanitized and validated before processing, with strict type checking and length limitations applied to the name, email, password, and number fields. Additionally, implementing web application firewalls and database activity monitoring can provide additional layers of defense. The solution should align with security frameworks such as the owasp top ten and mitre att&ck matrix, particularly addressing techniques related to command injection and credential access. Regular security assessments and penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other application components, ensuring comprehensive protection against sql injection threats. System administrators should also monitor for any unauthorized access attempts or suspicious database activities that may indicate exploitation attempts.