CVE-2024-33403 in Complete Web-Based School Management System
Summary
by MITRE • 05/06/2024
A SQL injection vulnerability in /model/get_events.php in campcodes Complete Web-Based School Management System 1.0 allows attacker to execute arbitrary SQL commands via the event_id parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/13/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2024-33403 represents a critical SQL injection flaw within the campcodes Complete Web-Based School Management System version 1.0. This vulnerability specifically affects the /model/get_events.php script which processes user input through the event_id parameter. The flaw enables unauthorized attackers to manipulate database queries by injecting malicious SQL code, potentially leading to complete database compromise and unauthorized access to sensitive educational data.
This vulnerability falls under CWE-89 which categorizes SQL injection as a severe weakness in software applications that process untrusted input. The attack vector exploits the lack of proper input validation and sanitization mechanisms within the web application's backend processing. When an attacker submits malicious input through the event_id parameter, the application fails to properly escape or parameterize the input before incorporating it into database queries. This allows attackers to craft SQL commands that bypass authentication, extract sensitive information, modify database records, or even execute system commands depending on the database management system in use.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is substantial given the nature of school management systems which typically contain sensitive personal data including student records, parent information, academic performance data, and administrative details. An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability could gain unauthorized access to the entire database, potentially leading to data breaches, identity theft, and disruption of educational services. The vulnerability affects the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of the system, making it particularly dangerous in educational environments where data protection regulations such as FERPA and GDPR apply.
Security professionals should implement immediate mitigations including input validation, parameterized queries, and proper output encoding to prevent SQL injection attacks. The recommended approach involves replacing direct string concatenation with prepared statements and parameterized queries, implementing proper input sanitization, and applying the principle of least privilege for database accounts. Additionally, regular security testing including dynamic application security testing and manual penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls and database activity monitoring to detect and prevent exploitation attempts. The vulnerability highlights the importance of following secure coding practices and adhering to industry standards such as those outlined in the OWASP Top Ten and NIST Cybersecurity Framework to prevent such critical security flaws from being introduced into web applications.