CVE-2024-54790 in Pre-School Enrollment System
Summary
by MITRE • 12/19/2024
A SQL Injection vulnerability was found in /index.php in PHPGurukul Pre-School Enrollment System v1.0, which allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via the visittime parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/21/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2024-54790 represents a critical SQL injection flaw within the PHPGurukul Pre-School Enrollment System version 1.0. This weakness exists in the index.php file and specifically affects the visittime parameter handling mechanism. The vulnerability exposes the system to remote code execution attacks, making it particularly dangerous for educational institutions that rely on such enrollment systems for managing sensitive student and parent information. The flaw allows unauthorized attackers to manipulate database queries through crafted input parameters, potentially leading to complete system compromise and data breaches.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and parameter sanitization within the web application's database interaction layer. When the visittime parameter is processed in the index.php script, the application fails to properly escape or filter user-supplied input before incorporating it into SQL queries. This classic input validation failure creates an exploitable condition where malicious actors can inject arbitrary SQL commands through the parameter, bypassing normal authentication and authorization mechanisms. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-89, which specifically addresses SQL injection flaws, and demonstrates poor application security practices in data handling and query construction. Attackers can leverage this weakness to extract sensitive information, modify database records, or even gain administrative control over the enrollment system.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data compromise, as it can lead to complete system infiltration and persistent access for threat actors. Educational institutions using this pre-school enrollment system face significant risks including unauthorized access to student records, parent information, and potentially financial data stored within the database. The remote nature of the attack means that threat actors can exploit this vulnerability from anywhere on the internet without requiring physical access to the network. This creates a substantial risk for organizations that may not have robust network monitoring in place to detect such attacks. The vulnerability also violates fundamental security principles outlined in the MITRE ATT&CK framework, specifically related to T1190 - Exploit Public-Facing Application and T1071.004 - Application Layer Protocol: DNS, as attackers can leverage this flaw to establish persistent access and potentially move laterally within the network infrastructure.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2024-54790 must address both immediate remediation and long-term security improvements. Organizations should immediately apply patches or updates provided by PHPGurukul if available, or implement proper input validation and parameterized queries to prevent SQL injection attacks. The system should be configured to use prepared statements with proper parameter binding instead of dynamic query construction. Network segmentation and intrusion detection systems should be deployed to monitor for suspicious database access patterns and SQL injection attempts. Regular security audits and penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other applications within the organization's infrastructure. Additionally, implementing web application firewalls and input sanitization controls can provide additional layers of protection against exploitation attempts. The vulnerability underscores the importance of following secure coding practices and adhering to industry standards such as OWASP Top Ten and NIST cybersecurity guidelines to prevent similar issues in future software development cycles.