CVE-2024-4512 in Prison Management System
Summary
by MITRE • 05/06/2024
A vulnerability classified as problematic was found in SourceCodester Prison Management System 1.0. This vulnerability affects unknown code of the file /Employee/edit-profile.php. The manipulation of the argument txtfullname/txtdob/txtaddress/txtqualification/cmddept/cmdemployeetype/txtappointment leads to cross site scripting. The attack can be initiated remotely. The exploit has been disclosed to the public and may be used. The identifier of this vulnerability is VDB-263116.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/01/2025
This cross site scripting vulnerability exists within the SourceCodester Prison Management System version 1.0, specifically within the /Employee/edit-profile.php file. The flaw manifests when user-supplied input is not properly sanitized before being rendered back to the browser, creating an avenue for malicious code execution. The vulnerability impacts multiple input parameters including txtfullname, txtdob, txtaddress, txtqualification, cmddept, cmdemployeetype, and txtappointment, indicating a widespread issue in the application's data handling mechanisms. The vulnerability is classified as remotely exploitable, meaning attackers can initiate the attack without requiring physical access to the system or direct user interaction beyond accessing the vulnerable web application. This remote exploitability significantly increases the attack surface and potential impact of the vulnerability.
The technical nature of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-79, which describes cross site scripting flaws where untrusted data is incorporated into web pages without proper validation or encoding. The vulnerability allows attackers to inject malicious scripts that execute in the context of other users' browsers, potentially leading to session hijacking, credential theft, or unauthorized actions within the application. The disclosed exploit indicates that threat actors have already developed working payloads for this vulnerability, making it an active risk rather than a theoretical concern. This classification places the vulnerability within the ATT&CK framework under T1566, specifically targeting the execution of malicious code through web application vulnerabilities.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft, as it could enable attackers to manipulate employee profiles, potentially gaining unauthorized access to sensitive prison management functions. The attack vector being remote means that any user with access to the application could be compromised, including administrators and prison staff who rely on the system for operational tasks. Given that this is a prison management system, the potential consequences are particularly severe as attackers could manipulate employee records to gain elevated privileges or disrupt operational procedures. The vulnerability affects the core user profile management functionality, which is fundamental to the system's operation and security posture.
Mitigation strategies should focus on implementing comprehensive input validation and output encoding mechanisms throughout the application. All user-supplied data must be sanitized using proper escaping techniques before being rendered in web pages, particularly in the identified vulnerable parameters. The application should implement Content Security Policy headers to limit script execution and prevent unauthorized code injection. Regular security assessments and code reviews should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other parts of the application. Additionally, implementing proper access controls and monitoring mechanisms can help detect unauthorized profile modifications. The vulnerability's disclosure status necessitates immediate remediation as public exploitation is already possible, making this a critical security concern requiring urgent attention from system administrators.