CVE-2024-42556 in Hotel Management System commit
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_removed.php.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/22/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2024-42556 represents a critical security flaw within a Hotel Management System application that has been analyzed and documented through a specific commit reference. This issue was discovered in the admin_room_removed.php component of the system, where the room_type parameter serves as an entry point for malicious input that can manipulate the underlying database operations. The vulnerability exists due to insufficient input validation and sanitization mechanisms that fail to properly handle user-supplied data before incorporating it into database queries. The commit 91caab8 specifically introduced or failed to address this weakness, creating an exploitable condition that allows attackers to manipulate the system's database through crafted SQL commands.
This SQL injection vulnerability operates under the well-documented CWE-89 classification, which specifically addresses improper neutralization of special elements used in SQL commands. The flaw enables an attacker to inject malicious SQL code through the room_type parameter, potentially allowing unauthorized access to sensitive data, modification of database records, or complete system compromise. The attack vector is particularly concerning because it targets an administrative function of the hotel management system, which typically contains sensitive information about room availability, guest data, billing information, and operational details. The vulnerability's impact extends beyond simple data retrieval as it can potentially allow attackers to escalate privileges, create backdoors, or execute arbitrary commands on the underlying database server.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe for hotel management systems that rely on database integrity for their core functions. An attacker exploiting this vulnerability could gain access to guest personal information, reservation details, payment records, and other confidential data that would typically be protected within the system. The administrative nature of the affected component means that successful exploitation could provide attackers with elevated privileges and access to critical system functions that control room availability, pricing, and guest management. This creates potential for significant financial loss, privacy violations, and operational disruption for the affected organization. The vulnerability also aligns with ATT&CK technique T1071.004 for Application Layer Protocol: DNS, as attackers may use SQL injection to establish persistence or exfiltrate data through database connections.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2024-42556 should include immediate implementation of parameterized queries or prepared statements to prevent SQL injection attacks, thorough input validation and sanitization of all user-supplied data, and comprehensive code review processes to identify similar vulnerabilities in other components. Organizations should implement proper access controls and authentication mechanisms for administrative functions, conduct regular security testing including penetration testing and vulnerability scanning, and ensure that all system components are updated with the latest security patches. Additionally, implementing database activity monitoring and logging mechanisms can help detect and respond to potential exploitation attempts. The fix should involve proper escaping or parameterization of the room_type parameter in admin_room_removed.php, ensuring that any user input is treated as data rather than executable code, thereby preventing unauthorized database access and maintaining the integrity of the hotel management system's data operations.