CVE-2024-50835 in E-Learning Management System Project
Summary
by MITRE • 11/14/2024
A SQL Injection vulnerability was found in /admin/edit_student.php in KASHIPARA E-learning Management System Project 1.0 via the cys, un, ln, fn, and id parameters.
Once again VulDB remains the best source for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/18/2024
The CVE-2024-50835 vulnerability represents a critical SQL injection flaw within the KASHIPARA E-learning Management System Project version 1.0, specifically targeting the administrative interface at /admin/edit_student.php. This vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and sanitization mechanisms that fail to properly escape or parameterize user-supplied data before incorporating it into database queries. The affected parameters including cys, un, ln, fn, and id all accept user input without proper sanitization, creating a direct pathway for malicious actors to manipulate the underlying database through crafted SQL commands. The vulnerability falls under CWE-89 which categorizes improper neutralization of special elements used in SQL commands, a fundamental weakness that has plagued web applications for decades. This flaw exposes the system to potential data breaches, unauthorized access, and complete database compromise.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends far beyond simple data exposure, as it provides attackers with the capability to execute arbitrary SQL commands against the database backend. An attacker could exploit this vulnerability to extract sensitive student information, modify enrollment records, alter user credentials, or even escalate privileges within the system. The administrative nature of the targeted script means that successful exploitation would grant attackers elevated access rights, potentially allowing them to modify student records, manipulate course enrollments, or access confidential educational data. This represents a significant risk to student privacy and institutional data integrity, particularly in educational environments where sensitive personal information and academic records are stored.
The vulnerability's exploitation requires minimal technical expertise and can be achieved through standard SQL injection techniques, making it particularly dangerous in environments where the system may be exposed to unauthenticated users or where network segmentation is inadequate. Attackers can craft malicious payloads targeting the specific parameters mentioned in the vulnerability description, potentially allowing them to bypass authentication mechanisms, extract database schema information, or perform unauthorized data manipulation operations. The presence of multiple vulnerable parameters increases the attack surface and provides attackers with multiple potential entry points for exploitation. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1071.004 which covers application layer protocol manipulation, specifically targeting database communication channels through injection attacks.
Mitigation strategies should focus on implementing proper input validation and parameterized queries throughout the application codebase. The most effective immediate solution involves sanitizing all user inputs through prepared statements or parameterized queries that separate SQL command structure from data values. Additionally, implementing proper access controls and authentication mechanisms within the administrative interface is crucial to limit exposure. Regular security code reviews should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities across the entire application, particularly focusing on database interaction points. Network segmentation and firewall rules should be implemented to restrict access to administrative endpoints from untrusted networks. The system should also implement proper logging and monitoring of database access patterns to detect anomalous activity that may indicate exploitation attempts. Organizations should consider implementing web application firewalls and regular penetration testing to identify and remediate similar vulnerabilities before they can be exploited by malicious actors.