CVE-2025-3728 in Simple Hotel Booking System
Summary
by MITRE • 04/17/2025
A vulnerability classified as critical was found in SourceCodester Simple Hotel Booking System 1.0. This vulnerability affects the function Login. The manipulation of the argument uname leads to buffer overflow. It is possible to launch the attack on the local host. The exploit has been disclosed to the public and may be used.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/29/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2025-3728 represents a critical buffer overflow flaw within the SourceCodester Simple Hotel Booking System version 1.0, specifically impacting the Login function's handling of the uname argument. This type of vulnerability falls under CWE-121, which describes buffer overflow conditions where insufficient bounds checking allows attackers to overwrite adjacent memory locations. The flaw exists in the authentication mechanism of this web-based hotel management system, making it particularly dangerous as it directly targets the core security function of the application.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from improper input validation within the Login function where the uname parameter is processed without adequate boundary checks. When an attacker provides a specially crafted input string that exceeds the allocated buffer size for the uname argument, the excess data overflows into adjacent memory segments, potentially corrupting program execution flow. This buffer overflow condition creates opportunities for arbitrary code execution, as the overflow can overwrite return addresses, function pointers, or other critical program variables. The vulnerability's local attack vector means that exploitation requires access to the system where the application is hosted, though this access point is still significant for privilege escalation scenarios.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple system compromise, as it provides attackers with potential access to sensitive hotel booking data, user credentials, and system resources. The disclosed exploit status increases the risk profile significantly, as malicious actors can readily implement this attack without requiring advanced exploitation techniques. In a production environment, this vulnerability could enable attackers to gain unauthorized access to guest information, manipulate booking records, or potentially escalate privileges to system-level access. The local host attack requirement suggests that compromise of the server itself or a user with local access would be sufficient to exploit this vulnerability, making it particularly concerning for environments where multiple users have access to the system.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2025-3728 should prioritize immediate patching of the SourceCodester Simple Hotel Booking System to version 1.0 or higher, as this represents the most effective defense against the buffer overflow. Additionally, implementing input validation measures including proper bounds checking, sanitization of user inputs, and employing stack canaries can help prevent exploitation attempts. Network segmentation and access controls should be implemented to limit local system access, while monitoring solutions should be deployed to detect unusual login patterns or buffer overflow attempts. The vulnerability's classification aligns with ATT&CK technique T1203, which describes exploitation of software vulnerabilities for privilege escalation, and T1078, which covers valid accounts usage for persistence. Regular security audits and code reviews focusing on input handling and memory management practices should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other components of the system infrastructure.