CVE-2026-15596 in Class and Exam Timetabling System
Summary
by MITRE • 07/14/2026
A vulnerability was identified in SourceCodester Class and Exam Timetabling System 1.0. The impacted element is an unknown function of the file /subject.php. Such manipulation of the argument subject leads to cross site scripting. It is possible to launch the attack remotely. The exploit is publicly available and might be used.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/14/2026
This vulnerability exists within the SourceCodester Class and Exam Timetabling System version 1.0 where an insecure input handling flaw has been identified in the /subject.php file. The specific function responsible for processing the subject parameter lacks proper sanitization mechanisms, creating a pathway for malicious actors to inject arbitrary script code into the application's response. This cross site scripting vulnerability represents a critical security weakness that allows attackers to execute malicious scripts within the context of other users' browsers. The flaw enables remote exploitation without requiring any authentication or privileged access, making it particularly dangerous as it can be leveraged by attackers from anywhere on the internet.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate validation and sanitization of user-supplied input parameters. When the subject argument is processed through the affected function in /subject.php, the application fails to properly escape or filter special characters that could be interpreted as HTML or JavaScript code. This absence of proper input validation creates an environment where malicious payloads can be executed when the vulnerable page is rendered in a user's browser. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-79 which specifically addresses cross site scripting flaws resulting from insufficient input sanitization and output encoding. Attackers can exploit this weakness by crafting malicious subject parameters that contain script tags or other executable code sequences.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft or session hijacking. Remote attackers can leverage this XSS flaw to perform a wide range of malicious activities including but not limited to cookie theft, session fixation attacks, redirection to malicious sites, and potential privilege escalation within the application. The publicly available exploit means that threat actors do not require advanced technical skills to launch attacks against systems running this vulnerable software version. This makes the attack surface significantly larger as any user who accesses the compromised page could become a victim, potentially affecting students, teachers, or administrators who interact with the timetabling system.
Security mitigations for this vulnerability should focus on implementing comprehensive input validation and output encoding mechanisms throughout the application's codebase. The primary fix involves sanitizing all user inputs, particularly those processed through the affected /subject.php file, by implementing proper HTML entity encoding before rendering any user-supplied content. Organizations should also implement Content Security Policy headers to limit the execution of unauthorized scripts within the application context. Additionally, regular security audits and penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other components of the system. The remediation process must include updating to a patched version of the SourceCodester Class and Exam Timetabling System if available, or implementing proper input sanitization measures as outlined in OWASP's XSS prevention guidelines. This vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of following secure coding practices and adhering to established security frameworks such as those defined in the ATT&CK framework under the web application attack patterns category.
The presence of a publicly available exploit for this vulnerability significantly increases the risk profile of affected systems, as it removes the need for custom exploitation techniques. Organizations should immediately assess their deployment of this software version and implement compensating controls while planning for proper patching or mitigation strategies to prevent unauthorized access and potential data compromise.