CVE-2024-42554 in Hotel Management System
Summary
by MITRE • 08/20/2024
Hotel Management System commit 91caab8 was discovered to contain a SQL injection vulnerability via the room_type parameter at admin_room_added.php.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/21/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2024-42554 represents a critical security flaw within a hotel management system that exposes the application to unauthorized data access and potential system compromise. This issue manifests through a SQL injection vulnerability in the administrative component of the system, specifically within the admin_room_added.php file where user input is improperly handled. The vulnerability is triggered when the room_type parameter is processed, allowing malicious actors to manipulate database queries through crafted input sequences. The affected system operates under a typical web application architecture where administrative functions handle room type additions and modifications, making this exposure particularly dangerous as it provides access to sensitive operational data.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-89, which specifically addresses SQL injection flaws where untrusted data is incorporated into SQL queries without proper sanitization or parameterization. The flaw occurs because the application fails to validate or escape user-supplied input before incorporating it into database operations. When an attacker submits malicious input through the room_type parameter, the system's query construction logic does not properly separate the SQL command from the user data, enabling attackers to inject additional SQL commands that execute with the privileges of the database user. This vulnerability falls under the ATT&CK technique T1190 - Exploit Public-Facing Application, as it represents an attack vector accessible through the web interface of the hotel management system.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft, as it provides attackers with the capability to escalate privileges, extract sensitive guest information, manipulate room availability data, and potentially disrupt hotel operations. Attackers could access confidential guest records, billing information, reservation details, and administrative credentials stored within the database. The vulnerability also enables potential data corruption or deletion, which could severely impact hotel operations and customer service. Additionally, the exposure of database credentials through SQL injection could allow attackers to gain deeper access to the underlying infrastructure, potentially leading to broader system compromise. The administrative nature of the affected endpoint means that successful exploitation could provide attackers with full control over room inventory management and related operational functions.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2024-42554 should prioritize immediate implementation of parameterized queries or prepared statements to eliminate the SQL injection vector. The application code must be updated to validate and sanitize all user inputs, particularly those used in database operations, through proper input filtering and escaping mechanisms. Organizations should implement proper access controls and authentication measures to limit administrative access to authorized personnel only. The system should also incorporate input validation at multiple layers including client-side and server-side checks, with proper error handling that does not reveal database structure information to users. Regular security testing including automated scanning and manual penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities throughout the application. Network segmentation and database access controls should be implemented to limit the potential impact of successful exploitation, ensuring that database users have minimal necessary privileges. Additionally, implementing web application firewalls and intrusion detection systems can provide additional layers of protection against exploitation attempts.