CVE-2026-76995 in Simple Online Food Ordering System
Summary
by MITRE • 08/20/2026
A vulnerability was identified in SourceCodester Simple Online Food Ordering System 1.0. This issue affects some unknown processing of the file /admin/ajax.php?action=save_menu. The manipulation of the argument img leads to unrestricted upload. The attack is possible to be carried out remotely. The exploit is publicly available and might be used.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/20/2026
The SourceCodester Simple Online Food Ordering System version 1.0 contains a critical security flaw within its administrative interface, specifically located in the file path /admin/ajax.php when processing the action parameter set to save_menu. This vulnerability stems from insufficient validation of user-supplied input during the image upload process. The application fails to adequately verify the integrity or type of files submitted through the img argument, allowing an attacker to bypass standard security controls and execute unrestricted file uploads. Because this functionality is part of the administrative module, it typically requires some level of authentication; however, if default credentials are still in use or if session management is weak, remote attackers can easily gain access to these privileged functions.
From a technical perspective, this flaw represents a classic case of insecure direct object reference combined with improper input validation. The server-side script accepts the uploaded file without checking for malicious payloads such as web shells or scripts disguised as image files. This lack of sanitization enables an attacker to upload executable code directly onto the web server's document root or accessible directories. Once the malicious file is successfully uploaded, it can be executed by invoking its URL through a standard HTTP request. This mechanism effectively grants the attacker arbitrary command execution capabilities on the underlying operating system, depending on the privileges held by the web service account running the application.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe and potentially catastrophic for organizations deploying this software without adequate hardening measures. An exploited instance allows remote code execution, which can lead to full compromise of the hosting server. Attackers may use this access to exfiltrate sensitive customer data including personal identifiable information and payment details stored in the associated database. Furthermore, the compromised system can be turned into a pivot point for further attacks against internal network resources or used to distribute malware to unsuspecting users visiting the food ordering platform. The availability of public exploits significantly lowers the barrier to entry for threat actors, increasing the likelihood of automated scanning and exploitation attempts targeting known vulnerable instances on the internet.
This vulnerability aligns with Common Weakness Enumeration category CWE-434 which describes unrestricted upload of file with dangerous type, as well as CWE-79 concerning cross-site scripting if reflected content is not sanitized before display. In terms of offensive security frameworks, this exploit path corresponds to MITRE ATT&CK technique T1505.003 for Web Shell and potentially T1059 for Command and Scripting Interpreter execution via uploaded artifacts. To mitigate these risks, administrators should immediately update the software if a patched version is available from SourceCodester or consider migrating to more robust, actively maintained open-source alternatives with rigorous security audits. If updating is not feasible, implementing strict file type validation on both client and server sides, enforcing allowlists for permitted extensions such as jpg png and gif while rejecting php asp jsp files, and storing uploaded media outside the web root are essential defensive measures. Additionally ensuring that administrative interfaces require strong multi-factor authentication and restricting access via IP whitelisting can significantly reduce the attack surface exposed to remote adversaries.