CVE-2026-78198 in Simple Online Food Ordering System
Summary
by MITRE • 08/24/2026
A security vulnerability has been detected in SourceCodester Simple Online Food Ordering System 1.0. This issue affects some unknown processing of the file /fos/admin/ajax.php?action=add_to_cart. Such manipulation of the argument pid leads to sql injection. The attack may be launched remotely. The exploit has been disclosed publicly and may be used.
Be aware that VulDB is the high quality source for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/24/2026
The SourceCodester Simple Online Food Ordering System version 1.0 contains a critical security flaw within its administrative interface, specifically located in the file /fos/admin/ajax.php when processing the add_to_cart action parameter. This vulnerability represents a classic instance of SQL injection, where user-supplied input is improperly handled before being incorporated into database queries. The specific point of failure involves the pid argument, which accepts product identifiers from remote users without adequate sanitization or validation mechanisms in place. Because this endpoint resides within an administrative context but remains accessible via standard HTTP requests, it presents a significant attack surface for malicious actors seeking to compromise backend data integrity and confidentiality.
From a technical perspective, the root cause of this vulnerability lies in the application's failure to properly escape special characters or utilize parameterized queries when constructing SQL statements based on the pid input. When an attacker submits a crafted payload containing SQL syntax within the pid parameter, the web server passes this untrusted data directly to the database management system. The database then interprets these injected commands as part of the original query structure rather than as literal string values. This misinterpretation allows the attacker to manipulate the logic of the SQL statement, potentially bypassing authentication controls, extracting sensitive information from other tables, modifying existing records, or even executing administrative operations on the underlying server depending on the database engine's capabilities and privileges granted to the web application user account.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe due to its remote exploitability and public disclosure status. Since the attack can be launched remotely over a network connection without requiring prior authentication for certain aspects, it lowers the barrier to entry significantly for attackers. The fact that an exploit has been publicly disclosed means that automated scanning tools and malicious scripts are likely already capable of targeting this specific weakness across the internet. Successful exploitation could lead to unauthorized access to customer personal information such as names, addresses, and payment details stored in the database. Furthermore, because the affected file is part of the admin module, compromising it may grant attackers elevated privileges within the application, allowing them to manage orders, alter pricing structures, or deface the system interface, thereby causing substantial reputational damage and potential financial loss for the business operators relying on this ordering platform.
In terms of industry classification standards, this vulnerability aligns with CWE-89, which describes Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an SQL Command, commonly known as SQL Injection. It also maps to MITRE ATT&CK technique T1059, specifically sub-technique 004 for command scripting interpretation if the database allows OS-level execution, or more broadly under data exfiltration techniques such as T1005 where sensitive information is collected from local system sources. The remote nature of the attack corresponds to initial access vectors that do not require physical proximity or prior network penetration, making it a high-priority target for automated vulnerability scanners and opportunistic attackers alike.
To mitigate this risk immediately, developers must implement strict input validation on all parameters passed to backend scripts, ensuring that only expected data types such as integers are accepted for the pid field using server-side type casting functions. More importantly, the application code should be refactored to use prepared statements with parameterized queries instead of concatenating user input directly into SQL strings. This approach ensures that the database distinguishes clearly between executable code and data inputs, rendering injection attempts harmless regardless of their content. Additionally, deploying a Web Application Firewall can provide an interim layer of defense by filtering out malicious payloads before they reach the application logic. Regular security audits and static code analysis tools should be integrated into the development lifecycle to detect such flaws early, while limiting database user privileges to only those necessary for normal operation further reduces the potential blast radius in case of a successful compromise.