CVE-2024-5116 in Online Examination System
Summary
by MITRE • 05/20/2024
A vulnerability, which was classified as critical, has been found in SourceCodester Online Examination System 1.0. Affected by this issue is some unknown functionality of the file save.php. The manipulation of the argument vote leads to sql injection. The attack may be launched remotely. The exploit has been disclosed to the public and may be used. The identifier of this vulnerability is VDB-265196.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/10/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2024-5116 represents a critical sql injection flaw within the SourceCodester Online Examination System version 1.0, specifically affecting the save.php file. This vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and sanitization mechanisms that fail to properly handle user-supplied data. The attack vector is particularly concerning as it can be executed remotely without requiring any authentication or privileged access, making it highly accessible to malicious actors. The vulnerability is triggered when the vote parameter is manipulated, allowing attackers to inject malicious sql commands that can be executed against the underlying database.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-89 which categorizes sql injection as a weakness where untrusted data is incorporated into sql queries without proper sanitization. The save.php file appears to directly incorporate user input from the vote argument into database queries without appropriate parameterization or input filtering mechanisms. This design flaw creates a direct pathway for attackers to manipulate the sql execution flow, potentially allowing them to extract sensitive data, modify database records, or even execute administrative commands on the database server. The remote exploitability aspect means that attackers can leverage this vulnerability from external networks without requiring physical access to the system infrastructure.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data compromise, as it can lead to complete system takeover and unauthorized access to examination data, user credentials, and potentially sensitive academic information. The disclosure of the exploit (VDB-265196) significantly increases the risk profile as malicious actors can immediately implement attacks without requiring additional reconnaissance or development time. Organizations using this system face potential exposure to data breaches, academic integrity violations, and regulatory compliance failures. The vulnerability affects the core functionality of the examination system, potentially compromising the validity and security of all examination data stored within the database. Attackers could leverage this vulnerability to manipulate exam results, steal user information, or establish persistent access points within the network infrastructure.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2024-5116 should prioritize immediate patching of the affected system to address the sql injection vulnerability in save.php. Organizations must implement proper input validation and parameterized queries to prevent user-supplied data from being interpreted as sql commands. The implementation of web application firewalls and input sanitization mechanisms can provide additional defense layers. Security monitoring should be enhanced to detect suspicious sql injection attempts and anomalous database access patterns. System administrators should conduct comprehensive vulnerability assessments to identify any additional sql injection vulnerabilities within the application codebase. Regular security updates and code reviews should be implemented to prevent similar issues from emerging in future releases. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of following secure coding practices and adhering to industry standards such as those defined in the OWASP Top Ten and NIST cybersecurity frameworks to prevent sql injection attacks. Additionally, implementing least privilege database access controls and regular security audits can help minimize the potential impact of successful exploitation attempts.