CVE-2024-2575 in Employee Task Management System
Summary
by MITRE • 03/18/2024
A vulnerability, which was classified as critical, has been found in SourceCodester Employee Task Management System 1.0. Affected by this issue is some unknown functionality of the file /task-details.php. The manipulation of the argument task_id leads to authorization bypass. The attack may be launched remotely. The exploit has been disclosed to the public and may be used. VDB-257078 is the identifier assigned to this vulnerability.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/20/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2024-2575 represents a critical authorization bypass flaw within the SourceCodester Employee Task Management System version 1.0. This system, designed for managing employee task assignments and tracking, contains a significant security weakness that allows attackers to circumvent intended access controls. The vulnerability specifically manifests in the /task-details.php file where improper input validation and authorization checks create a pathway for unauthorized access to task information. The flaw enables malicious actors to manipulate the task_id parameter, which serves as the primary attack vector for exploiting this vulnerability.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient validation of user input within the task_details.php script. When a user submits a request containing a task_id parameter, the application fails to properly verify whether the requesting user has legitimate authorization to access the specified task. This weakness creates an authorization bypass condition where any authenticated user can potentially access tasks assigned to other users by simply modifying the task_id value in the request. The vulnerability operates at the application logic level, specifically targeting the authorization mechanisms that should prevent cross-user data access. This type of flaw is commonly categorized under CWE-285, which addresses improper authorization within software systems, and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1078.101 for Valid Accounts and T1566.001 for Phishing.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe as it allows remote attackers to access sensitive employee task information without proper authorization. This unauthorized access could expose confidential project details, employee work assignments, deadlines, and potentially sensitive business information. The public disclosure of the exploit means that threat actors can readily leverage this vulnerability without requiring advanced technical skills or extensive reconnaissance. The remote attack vector eliminates the need for physical access or network proximity, making the system vulnerable to attacks from anywhere on the internet. The exploitability factor is particularly concerning given that the vulnerability affects core functionality of the task management system, potentially compromising the integrity of employee productivity tracking and project management workflows.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should include immediate implementation of proper input validation and authorization checks within the task_details.php file. The application must verify that each task_id parameter corresponds to a task that the authenticated user is authorized to access, implementing proper access control mechanisms that align with the principle of least privilege. The system should enforce user-specific task access controls and validate that the requesting user has legitimate permissions to view the target task. Additionally, implementing proper session management and input sanitization techniques can prevent parameter manipulation attacks. Security patches should be deployed immediately to address the authorization bypass, and the application should undergo comprehensive security auditing to identify similar vulnerabilities in other components. Organizations should also implement network monitoring to detect suspicious access patterns and ensure that access logs are properly maintained for security incident response purposes. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of implementing robust access controls and input validation in web applications, particularly those handling sensitive employee and business data.