CVE-2024-5046 in Online Examination System
Summary
by MITRE • 05/17/2024
A vulnerability was found in SourceCodester Online Examination System 1.0. It has been rated as critical. This issue affects some unknown processing of the file registeracc.php. The manipulation of the argument email leads to sql injection. The attack may be initiated remotely. The exploit has been disclosed to the public and may be used. The associated identifier of this vulnerability is VDB-264743.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/10/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2024-5046 represents a critical sql injection flaw within the SourceCodester Online Examination System version 1.0. This system, designed for educational institutions to conduct online examinations, contains a fundamental security weakness in its user registration process that could enable unauthorized access to sensitive data. The vulnerability specifically resides in the registeracc.php file, which handles new user account creation and email validation processes. Security researchers have classified this issue as critical due to its potential for severe data compromise and the ease with which it can be exploited by remote attackers.
The technical flaw manifests when the application processes the email parameter within the registeracc.php file without proper input sanitization or parameterized query construction. This allows malicious actors to inject arbitrary sql commands through the email field during user registration. The vulnerability follows the common pattern of sql injection attacks where user-controllable input directly influences sql query execution. According to the CWE (Common Weakness Enumeration) framework, this corresponds to CWE-89: Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an SQL Command, which is one of the most prevalent and dangerous web application vulnerabilities. The attack vector requires only remote access to the system, making it particularly dangerous as it can be exploited from anywhere on the internet without requiring physical access or authentication.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends far beyond simple data theft, as it provides attackers with complete control over the database containing user information, examination records, and potentially sensitive institutional data. An attacker could extract all registered users' credentials, personal information, and examination results, leading to identity theft, academic fraud, and potential academic integrity violations. The disclosed exploit means that threat actors can immediately leverage this vulnerability without requiring advanced technical skills, significantly increasing the risk to organizations using this system. The vulnerability affects not just individual users but entire educational institutions that may rely on this platform for critical examination processes, potentially compromising the integrity of academic assessments and student privacy.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability must be implemented immediately to protect affected systems. Organizations should deploy input validation and parameterized queries to prevent sql injection attacks, ensuring that all user inputs are properly sanitized before database processing. The recommended approach aligns with ATT&CK framework technique T1190: Exploit Public-Facing Application, which emphasizes the importance of securing web applications against common attack vectors. System administrators should also implement web application firewalls, regularly update the application to patched versions if available, and conduct thorough security audits of all web applications. Additionally, organizations should consider implementing database access controls and monitoring mechanisms to detect unauthorized database access attempts. The vulnerability underscores the critical importance of proper input validation and secure coding practices in web application development, particularly for systems handling sensitive user data in educational environments.