CVE-2024-2574 in Employee Task Management System
Summary
by MITRE • 03/18/2024
A vulnerability classified as critical was found in SourceCodester Employee Task Management System 1.0. Affected by this vulnerability is an unknown functionality of the file /edit-task.php. The manipulation of the argument task_id leads to authorization bypass. The attack can be launched remotely. The exploit has been disclosed to the public and may be used. The identifier VDB-257077 was assigned to this vulnerability.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/20/2025
The CVE-2024-2574 vulnerability represents a critical authorization bypass flaw in the SourceCodester Employee Task Management System version 1.0, specifically affecting the /edit-task.php file. This vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and access control mechanisms within the application's task editing functionality, creating a significant security risk for organizations relying on this system for employee task management. The flaw allows attackers to manipulate the task_id parameter through direct input manipulation, potentially enabling unauthorized access to task records that should be restricted to specific users or roles. The vulnerability's classification as critical indicates its potential for severe impact, particularly given that the exploit has been publicly disclosed and is actively being used in the wild.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through manipulation of the task_id argument within the edit-task.php endpoint, which likely lacks proper authentication checks and authorization validation before processing task modification requests. This type of flaw typically falls under CWE-285, which addresses improper authorization in software systems, and represents a classic example of insufficient access control that allows attackers to bypass normal security restrictions. The remote attack vector means that threat actors can exploit this vulnerability without requiring physical access to the system or network, making it particularly dangerous for web-based applications. The vulnerability's presence in the task management functionality suggests that attackers could potentially access, modify, or delete task records belonging to other users, potentially leading to data integrity compromises and unauthorized privilege escalation.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple unauthorized access, as it could enable attackers to manipulate employee task assignments, modify deadlines, change task priorities, or even delete critical task records that impact business operations. Organizations using this system may experience significant disruption to their task management workflows, potential data loss, and compromised employee productivity tracking. The vulnerability's exploitation could also facilitate further attacks within the network, as attackers might use the unauthorized access to gather intelligence about other system components or escalate privileges to access additional resources. The fact that this vulnerability has been publicly disclosed and is actively used in the wild increases the urgency for affected organizations to implement immediate remediation measures.
Organizations affected by CVE-2024-2574 should prioritize immediate patching of the SourceCodester Employee Task Management System to address the authorization bypass vulnerability. The recommended mitigation strategy involves implementing proper input validation and authentication checks for all parameters passed to the edit-task.php endpoint, particularly the task_id argument. Security measures should include role-based access control mechanisms that verify user permissions before allowing task modifications, along with proper logging and monitoring of access attempts to detect potential exploitation attempts. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls to help detect and block malicious requests targeting this specific vulnerability. The remediation process should include thorough testing of the patched application to ensure that legitimate functionality remains intact while the authorization bypass vulnerability is properly addressed, following security best practices outlined in the OWASP Top Ten and NIST cybersecurity guidelines.