CVE-2024-7910 in Online Railway Reservation System
Summary
by MITRE • 08/18/2024
A vulnerability was found in CodeAstro Online Railway Reservation System 1.0 and classified as critical. Affected by this issue is some unknown functionality of the file /admin/emp-profile-avatar.php of the component Profile Photo Update Handler. The manipulation leads to unrestricted upload. The attack may be launched remotely. The exploit has been disclosed to the public and may be used.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/19/2024
The vulnerability CVE-2024-7910 represents a critical security flaw in the CodeAstro Online Railway Reservation System version 1.0, specifically within the profile photo update handler component. This issue manifests in the /admin/emp-profile-avatar.php file where inadequate input validation allows attackers to bypass file type restrictions and upload malicious files without proper authorization. The vulnerability's classification as critical stems from its potential to enable arbitrary code execution and complete system compromise through unrestricted file upload capabilities. The attack vector is remote, meaning malicious actors can exploit this weakness without requiring physical access to the system infrastructure.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability follows the common pattern of unrestricted file upload attacks, which are categorized under CWE-434 Unrestricted Upload of File with Dangerous Type. The flaw occurs when the application fails to properly validate file extensions, MIME types, or file contents before processing uploads. In this case, the Profile Photo Update Handler component does not implement sufficient sanitization measures to prevent attackers from uploading executable scripts, malicious binaries, or other harmful file types. The vulnerability allows attackers to upload files with extensions such as .php, .asp, .jsp, or other server-side script formats that can be executed within the web server context. This creates a direct pathway for attackers to gain unauthorized access to the system and potentially escalate privileges to full administrative control.
The operational impact of CVE-2024-7910 extends beyond simple unauthorized file uploads, as it can lead to complete system compromise and data breaches within the railway reservation system. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to execute malicious code, establish persistent backdoors, or deploy additional malware within the network. The implications are particularly severe for a railway reservation system that likely handles sensitive passenger data, financial transactions, and critical infrastructure information. The disclosed exploit means that threat actors can immediately utilize this weakness without requiring advanced technical knowledge or custom development. This vulnerability directly aligns with ATT&CK technique T1190 Exploit Public-Facing Application, where adversaries target exposed web applications to gain initial access. The compromise of the employee profile management system also poses risks to authentication mechanisms and could potentially lead to privilege escalation attacks within the administrative interface.
Organizations should implement multiple layers of defense to mitigate this vulnerability, starting with immediate patching of the affected application version. The fix must include robust input validation that checks file extensions against a strict whitelist of approved formats, implements proper MIME type verification, and ensures files are stored outside the web root directory. Additional mitigations include implementing Content Security Policy headers, using random file naming conventions, and deploying web application firewalls to detect and block suspicious upload attempts. The system should also enforce strict access controls and monitoring of file upload activities to identify potential exploitation attempts. Security teams should conduct comprehensive penetration testing and vulnerability assessments to ensure no other similar weaknesses exist within the application's codebase, particularly in other file upload handlers or administrative interfaces. Regular security updates and security awareness training for developers can prevent similar vulnerabilities in future implementations while establishing proper secure coding practices aligned with industry standards such as OWASP Top Ten and NIST Cybersecurity Framework.