CVE-2024-3421 in Online Courseware
Summary
by MITRE • 04/07/2024
A vulnerability was found in SourceCodester Online Courseware 1.0. It has been classified as critical. This affects an unknown part of the file admin/deactivatestud.php. The manipulation of the argument selector leads to sql injection. It is possible to initiate the attack remotely. The exploit has been disclosed to the public and may be used. The identifier VDB-259593 was assigned to this vulnerability.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/17/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2024-3421 represents a critical sql injection flaw within the SourceCodester Online Courseware 1.0 application, specifically targeting the admin/deactivatestud.php file. This vulnerability falls under the CWE-89 category, which encompasses sql injection attacks that occur when user input is directly incorporated into sql queries without proper sanitization or parameterization. The flaw exists in the handling of the selector argument, which serves as the primary attack vector for executing malicious sql commands against the underlying database system.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability allows attackers to manipulate the selector parameter in a way that bypasses normal input validation mechanisms. When the application processes this parameter within the deactivatestud.php script, it fails to properly escape or parameterize the user-supplied data before incorporating it into sql statements. This creates an environment where malicious sql payloads can be executed directly against the database, potentially enabling unauthorized data access, modification, or deletion operations.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data compromise, as it enables remote code execution capabilities when combined with appropriate sql injection techniques. Attackers can leverage this flaw to extract sensitive information from the database, including user credentials, personal data, and administrative access details. The remote exploitability means that attackers do not require physical access to the system or local network privileges, making this vulnerability particularly dangerous for web applications that are publicly accessible. The disclosure of the exploit to the public, as indicated by the VDB-259593 identifier, increases the likelihood of widespread exploitation across vulnerable systems.
Security professionals should consider this vulnerability in the context of the ATT&CK framework, particularly under the T1190 technique for exploitation of remote services and T1071.1 for application layer protocol usage. The mitigation strategies should include immediate patching of the affected application to properly sanitize all user inputs before database processing. Additionally, implementing proper input validation, parameterized queries, and web application firewalls can significantly reduce the risk of exploitation. Organizations should also conduct comprehensive vulnerability assessments to identify similar flaws in other application components and establish robust monitoring procedures to detect potential exploitation attempts. The remediation process should involve thorough code review of the affected file and implementation of secure coding practices to prevent similar vulnerabilities from reoccurring in future development cycles.