CVE-2024-28816 in Student Information Chatbot
Summary
by MITRE • 03/11/2024
Student Information Chatbot a0196ab allows SQL injection via the username to the login function in index.php.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/14/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2024-28816 affects a student information chatbot system with the identifier a0196ab, presenting a critical security flaw in its authentication mechanism. This issue resides within the index.php file where user input validation is insufficiently implemented, creating an avenue for malicious actors to exploit the system through SQL injection attacks. The vulnerability specifically targets the username parameter during the login process, making it a direct threat to the system's integrity and user data protection.
The technical implementation flaw stems from improper input sanitization and parameter handling within the login function. When users attempt to authenticate through the chatbot interface, the system fails to adequately filter or escape special characters that could be used to manipulate the underlying SQL query structure. This weakness allows attackers to inject malicious SQL code through the username field, potentially gaining unauthorized access to the database or executing arbitrary commands on the server. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-89 which categorizes SQL injection as a dangerous input validation flaw that can lead to complete system compromise when not properly mitigated.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple unauthorized access, as it represents a significant threat to the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of student information stored within the system. Attackers could potentially extract sensitive academic records, personal identification details, or other confidential data from the database. The vulnerability also poses risks to system availability through potential database corruption or denial of service conditions that could result from malicious SQL injection payloads. This threat is particularly concerning in educational environments where data privacy regulations such as FERPA compliance are mandatory, making the exploitation of such vulnerabilities a serious legal and operational risk.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2024-28816 should implement comprehensive input validation and parameterized queries to prevent SQL injection attacks. Organizations should immediately deploy prepared statement implementations that separate SQL code from user input, ensuring that all database interactions properly sanitize and validate all parameters. Additionally, implementing web application firewalls and input filtering mechanisms can provide additional layers of protection. The system should also enforce proper authentication mechanisms with rate limiting to prevent brute force attacks and maintain audit logs to detect suspicious login attempts. This vulnerability demonstrates the importance of following secure coding practices and adhering to ATT&CK framework techniques related to credential access and defensive evasion through proper input validation and database security measures. Regular security assessments and penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities across the entire application stack and ensure compliance with industry standards for protecting sensitive educational data.