CVE-2026-16485 in Class and Exam Timetabling System
Summary
by MITRE • 07/22/2026
A vulnerability has been found in SourceCodester Class and Exam Timetabling System 1.0. Affected by this issue is some unknown functionality of the file /class.php. Such manipulation of the argument day leads to cross site scripting. The attack can be launched remotely. The exploit has been disclosed to the public and may be used.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/22/2026
This vulnerability resides within the SourceCodester Class and Exam Timetabling System version 1.0, specifically targeting the /class.php file where insufficient input validation allows for cross-site scripting attacks through manipulation of the day parameter. The flaw represents a classic client-side injection vulnerability that enables attackers to execute malicious scripts in the context of other users' browsers. The vulnerability is classified as a weakness in input validation and output encoding, commonly associated with CWE-79 which addresses cross-site scripting flaws. Given that the attack vector is remote and the exploit has been publicly disclosed, this presents an immediate security risk to any system running the affected software version.
The technical exploitation occurs when user-supplied input from the day argument is not properly sanitized or escaped before being rendered in web pages. This allows attackers to inject malicious javascript code that executes in victims' browsers when they view affected pages. The vulnerability stems from inadequate data validation practices where the application fails to implement proper sanitization measures for dynamic content generation, particularly within the class management functionality of the timetabling system. The attack can be executed through various means including crafted URLs or form submissions that manipulate the day parameter to include malicious script tags.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution as it can lead to session hijacking, credential theft, and unauthorized administrative actions within the application. Attackers could leverage this weakness to escalate privileges, modify class schedules, or access sensitive educational data belonging to students and faculty members. The consequences are particularly concerning in academic environments where such systems often contain confidential information including student records, exam schedules, and institutional data. Organizations may face regulatory compliance issues under data protection frameworks like gdpr orFERPA due to potential unauthorized data access through this vulnerability.
Mitigation strategies should focus on implementing comprehensive input validation and output encoding mechanisms throughout the application. The recommended approach includes sanitizing all user inputs using established libraries such as htmlpurifier for html content and proper escaping techniques for javascript contexts. Additionally, implementing a content security policy (CSP) can provide an additional layer of protection against script injection attacks. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls to detect and block malicious requests targeting this vulnerability. The fix requires modifications to the /class.php file to ensure that any user-supplied day parameter undergoes strict validation before being processed or displayed, following principles outlined in the OWASP Top Ten security guidelines. Regular security assessments and code reviews should be implemented to identify similar vulnerabilities across other components of the application.