CVE-2024-3424 in Online Courseware
Summary
by MITRE • 04/07/2024
A vulnerability classified as critical has been found in SourceCodester Online Courseware 1.0. Affected is an unknown function of the file admin/listscore.php. The manipulation of the argument title leads to sql injection. It is possible to launch the attack remotely. The exploit has been disclosed to the public and may be used. The identifier of this vulnerability is VDB-259596.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/17/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2024-3424 represents a critical sql injection flaw within the SourceCodester Online Courseware version 1.0 platform. This security weakness specifically affects the admin/listscore.php component and manifests through improper handling of the title parameter. The vulnerability's classification as critical indicates severe potential impact on system integrity and data confidentiality, as sql injection attacks can enable attackers to execute arbitrary database commands and potentially gain unauthorized access to sensitive information. The remote exploitability of this vulnerability means that attackers can leverage this flaw without requiring physical access to the target system, making it particularly dangerous in web-facing applications.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and sanitization within the application's administrative interface. When the title parameter is processed in the admin/listscore.php file, the application fails to properly escape or parameterize user-supplied data before incorporating it into sql queries. This allows malicious actors to inject specially crafted sql payloads that can manipulate the database structure, extract confidential data, modify existing records, or even delete entire database tables. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-89 which specifically addresses sql injection weaknesses in software applications, and represents a classic example of unsafe sql query construction where user input directly influences query execution without proper sanitization mechanisms.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft, as successful exploitation can lead to complete system compromise and unauthorized administrative access. Attackers can leverage this sql injection to escalate privileges, access user credentials, and potentially establish persistent backdoors within the application environment. The disclosure of the exploit to the public community significantly increases the risk exposure, as malicious actors can immediately implement this attack vector without requiring additional reconnaissance or development efforts. This vulnerability affects the core functionality of the online courseware platform, potentially compromising educational content, user information, and institutional data integrity. The attack surface includes not only the specific sql injection point but also any data that might be accessible through the database layer, including but not limited to student records, course materials, and administrative configurations.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2024-3424 must address both immediate remediation and long-term security hardening measures. The primary solution involves implementing proper input validation and parameterized queries throughout the application codebase, particularly in the admin/listscore.php file and related administrative components. Organizations should immediately apply security patches provided by the vendor or implement custom fixes that sanitize all user inputs before database processing. The implementation of web application firewalls and sql injection detection mechanisms can provide additional layers of protection against exploitation attempts. Security measures should also include regular code reviews focusing on sql query construction, enforcement of least privilege principles for database access, and implementation of proper error handling that does not expose database structure information to end users. Adherence to secure coding practices as outlined in the OWASP Top Ten and MITRE ATT&CK framework for web application security ensures comprehensive protection against similar vulnerabilities across the entire application stack.