CVE-2024-4972 in Simple Chat System
Summary
by MITRE • 05/16/2024
A vulnerability classified as critical has been found in code-projects Simple Chat System 1.0. This affects an unknown part of the file /login.php. The manipulation of the argument email/password 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-264537 was assigned to this vulnerability.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/19/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2024-4972 represents a critical sql injection flaw within the code-projects Simple Chat System version 1.0, specifically impacting the authentication mechanism located in the /login.php file. This weakness stems from inadequate input validation and sanitization of user-supplied credentials, particularly the email and password parameters that are processed during the login sequence. The vulnerability classification as critical indicates a severe risk to system security and data integrity, as it allows unauthorized parties to manipulate database queries through crafted input payloads.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through the manipulation of the email and password arguments within the login form, where insufficient sanitization permits malicious sql commands to be executed against the underlying database. This type of injection vulnerability directly maps to CWE-89 which defines sql injection as the insertion of malicious sql fragments into application input fields for execution by the database engine. The attack vector is remotely exploitable, meaning that an attacker can leverage this vulnerability without requiring physical access to the system, making it particularly dangerous for web applications that are publicly accessible.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft, as successful exploitation could enable attackers to gain unauthorized access to user accounts, extract sensitive information including user credentials, personal data, and potentially escalate privileges to administrative functions within the chat system. The fact that this vulnerability has been publicly disclosed and its exploit is available increases the risk profile significantly, as it removes the element of surprise that attackers typically rely on for initial compromise. This disclosure aligns with ATT&CK technique T1190 which describes the use of publicly available exploits and vulnerabilities to compromise systems, and T1071.004 which covers application layer protocol usage including web protocols that may be leveraged for such attacks.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should prioritize immediate patching of the Simple Chat System to address the sql injection flaw in the authentication module. Implementing proper input validation and parameterized queries would prevent the injection of malicious sql code through user inputs. Additionally, deploying web application firewalls and implementing proper access controls can provide additional layers of protection. Regular security assessments and code reviews should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other application components. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of secure coding practices and the necessity of following security frameworks such as OWASP Top Ten and NIST cybersecurity guidelines to prevent sql injection attacks. Organizations should also implement monitoring and logging mechanisms to detect potential exploitation attempts and establish incident response procedures to address successful compromises.