CVE-2024-9818 in Online Veterinary Appointment System
Summary
by MITRE • 10/11/2024
A vulnerability classified as critical has been found in SourceCodester Online Veterinary Appointment System 1.0. Affected is an unknown function of the file /admin/categories/manage_category.php. The manipulation of the argument id leads to sql injection. It is possible to launch the attack remotely. The exploit has been disclosed to the public and may be used.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/11/2024
The CVE-2024-9818 vulnerability represents a critical sql injection flaw within the SourceCodester Online Veterinary Appointment System version 1.0, specifically affecting the administrative category management functionality. This vulnerability exists in the /admin/categories/manage_category.php file where an unvalidated id parameter is directly incorporated into sql query construction without proper sanitization or parameterization. The flaw allows attackers to manipulate the id argument in a manner that can compromise the underlying database system through malicious sql payloads. The vulnerability's classification as critical stems from its remote exploitability and the potential for full database compromise, making it a significant threat to system integrity and data confidentiality.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability demonstrates a classic sql injection attack vector where user-supplied input flows directly into database queries without proper input validation or sanitization mechanisms. When an attacker provides a malicious id value containing sql payload characters, the application fails to properly escape or parameterize this input before executing database operations. This allows for unauthorized data access, modification, or deletion, potentially enabling attackers to extract sensitive information including user credentials, appointment records, and veterinary patient data. The vulnerability's exploitation requires no authentication and can be executed through remote network access, making it particularly dangerous for web applications handling sensitive veterinary healthcare information.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft, as it can enable complete system compromise through various attack vectors. An attacker could leverage this sql injection to escalate privileges within the application, potentially gaining administrative access to the entire veterinary appointment system. The disclosed exploit availability increases the risk profile significantly, as malicious actors can readily implement this attack without requiring advanced technical skills. This vulnerability particularly threatens healthcare data integrity and patient privacy, as veterinary appointment systems typically contain sensitive information about animal health records, owner contact details, and treatment histories that could be exploited for identity theft or other malicious purposes. The vulnerability also poses risks to business continuity and regulatory compliance, as healthcare data breaches can result in substantial financial penalties and reputational damage.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2024-9818 should focus on immediate input validation and parameterization of all database queries. The recommended approach involves implementing proper prepared statements or parameterized queries to ensure that user input cannot influence sql command structure. Additionally, input sanitization measures including character set validation, length restrictions, and proper escaping of special characters should be implemented at the application level. Network-level protections such as web application firewalls and intrusion detection systems can provide additional layers of defense against sql injection attempts. Regular security audits and code reviews should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other application components, as this flaw likely represents a broader pattern of insufficient input validation within the system. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-89 sql injection and ATT&CK technique T1190 exploitation of remote services, emphasizing the need for comprehensive security measures including proper access controls, regular security updates, and incident response procedures to address such critical vulnerabilities effectively.