CVE-2024-5358 in Zoo Management System
Summary
by MITRE • 05/26/2024
A vulnerability was found in PHPGurukul Zoo Management System 2.1 and classified as critical. Affected by this issue is some unknown functionality of the file /admin/normal-search.php. The manipulation of the argument searchdata leads to sql injection. The attack may be launched remotely. The exploit has been disclosed to the public and may be used. VDB-266270 is the identifier assigned to this vulnerability.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/22/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2024-5358 represents a critical sql injection flaw within the PHPGurukul Zoo Management System version 2.1, specifically affecting the administrative interface component. This vulnerability resides in the /admin/normal-search.php file where improper input validation allows malicious actors to manipulate the searchdata parameter, potentially compromising the entire database infrastructure. The attack vector is remotely exploitable, meaning that threat actors can leverage this weakness without requiring physical access to the target system. The disclosure of exploit details in VDB-266270 indicates that this vulnerability has already been made public, significantly increasing the risk of widespread exploitation. The critical severity classification underscores the potential for complete system compromise, data exfiltration, and unauthorized administrative access to the zoo management platform.
The technical implementation of this sql injection vulnerability stems from inadequate parameter sanitization within the search functionality of the administrative panel. When users input search queries through the searchdata argument, the application fails to properly escape or validate the input before incorporating it into sql database queries. This allows attackers to inject malicious sql commands that bypass authentication mechanisms and execute arbitrary database operations. The vulnerability specifically targets the normal-search.php file which suggests that the application's search functionality lacks proper prepared statement implementation or input filtering, creating an exploitable entry point for sql injection attacks. According to CWE standards, this vulnerability maps to CWE-89 which specifically addresses improper neutralization of special elements used in sql commands, and potentially CWE-770 which covers allocation of resources without limits or throttling.
The operational impact of CVE-2024-5358 extends beyond simple data theft to encompass complete system compromise and potential lateral movement within network environments. Successful exploitation could enable attackers to extract sensitive information including user credentials, animal records, employee data, and system configurations that may be stored within the zoo management database. The remote exploit capability means that attackers can target the system from anywhere on the internet without requiring local network access, significantly expanding the attack surface. Organizations using this vulnerable system face potential regulatory compliance violations, reputational damage, and financial losses due to unauthorized access to sensitive operational data. The vulnerability's presence in an administrative search function also raises concerns about privilege escalation, as attackers could potentially gain administrative control over the entire zoo management system. This type of vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1190 which describes the use of remote services for initial access, and T1071.004 which covers application layer protocol usage for command and control communications.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability must be implemented immediately through multiple defensive layers. The primary remediation involves implementing proper input validation and parameterized queries using prepared statements to prevent sql injection attacks. Organizations should apply the latest security patches released by PHPGurukul or migrate to a supported version of the application that addresses this vulnerability. Network segmentation and firewall rules should be configured to restrict access to administrative interfaces to trusted networks only, while implementing web application firewalls to detect and block sql injection attempts. Regular security assessments and penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other components of the zoo management system. Additionally, implementing database access controls and monitoring for unusual query patterns can help detect exploitation attempts. The vulnerability's classification as critical necessitates immediate action, as the public availability of exploit code means that automated attacks are likely occurring in the wild, making prompt remediation essential for organizational security.