CVE-2025-7540 in Online Appointment Booking System
Summary
by MITRE • 07/13/2025
A vulnerability, which was classified as critical, was found in code-projects Online Appointment Booking System 1.0. Affected is an unknown function of the file /getclinic.php. The manipulation of the argument townid leads to sql injection. It is possible to launch the attack remotely. The exploit has been disclosed to the public and may be used. Other parameters might be affected as well.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/13/2025
This critical vulnerability resides within the code-projects Online Appointment Booking System version 1.0, specifically targeting the /getclinic.php endpoint where an SQL injection flaw has been identified through the townid parameter. The vulnerability represents a severe security risk as it allows attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands against the underlying database system. The flaw occurs when the application fails to properly sanitize or validate input received through the townid argument, enabling malicious actors to inject SQL code that can manipulate database queries. This particular vulnerability is classified as remote exploitable, meaning attackers do not require physical access to the system to carry out the attack, significantly expanding the potential threat surface.
The technical nature of this SQL injection vulnerability places it within the scope of CWE-89, which specifically addresses improper neutralization of special elements used in an SQL command. This weakness allows attackers to manipulate database queries through crafted input, potentially leading to unauthorized data access, data modification, or complete database compromise. The vulnerability's remote exploitability means it can be leveraged through web-based attacks without requiring direct system access. The disclosure of the exploit to the public community poses an immediate threat to systems running the affected software, as malicious actors can readily implement the attack vectors. The fact that other parameters may also be vulnerable indicates a broader codebase issue where input validation practices are insufficient across multiple functions.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft, encompassing potential system compromise and business disruption. Successful exploitation could enable attackers to extract sensitive patient information, modify appointment schedules, or gain unauthorized administrative access to the booking system. Organizations relying on this platform face significant regulatory and compliance risks, particularly if healthcare data is involved, as such breaches would violate data protection regulations. The vulnerability's classification as critical indicates that it can be exploited without authentication and can result in complete system compromise. Attackers may utilize this vulnerability to establish persistent access, escalate privileges, or conduct data exfiltration campaigns.
Mitigation strategies should focus on immediate input validation and sanitization across all user-supplied parameters within the application. The recommended approach includes implementing proper parameterized queries or prepared statements to prevent SQL injection attacks, as outlined in the OWASP SQL Injection Prevention Cheat Sheet. Organizations must conduct comprehensive code reviews to identify and remediate similar vulnerabilities in other functions that may be affected. Network-level protections such as web application firewalls should be deployed to detect and block malicious SQL injection attempts. Additionally, implementing principle of least privilege access controls and regular security assessments will help reduce the attack surface. The vulnerability highlights the importance of secure coding practices and input validation as fundamental defense mechanisms against database-related attacks, aligning with ATT&CK technique T1190 for exploiting vulnerabilities in web applications. Regular patching and vulnerability management programs should be established to prevent similar issues in future software releases, ensuring that security considerations are integrated throughout the software development lifecycle.