Overview
CVE-2024-44639 details a SQL Injection vulnerability present in PHPGurukul Student Record System version 3.20. This vulnerability allows an attacker to potentially execute arbitrary SQL queries, potentially leading to data breaches, modification, or deletion. The vulnerability resides within the add-subject.php file.
Technical Details
The vulnerability exists due to insufficient input sanitization in the add-subject.php file. Specifically, the parameters sub1, sub2, sub3, sub4, and course-short are vulnerable to SQL injection. An attacker can inject malicious SQL code through these parameters, which can then be executed by the application’s database query. The lack of proper escaping or parameterized queries allows for the injection to be successful.
CVSS Analysis
At the time of publication (2025-11-14T16:15:48.233), a CVSS score and severity level have not been assigned to CVE-2024-44639. However, due to the nature of SQL Injection vulnerabilities, it is likely to be classified as High or Critical severity once a CVSS score is calculated. Factors influencing the severity assessment will include the ease of exploitation and the potential impact on data confidentiality, integrity, and availability.
Possible Impact
Successful exploitation of this SQL Injection vulnerability can have severe consequences:
- Data Breach: An attacker could gain unauthorized access to sensitive student data, including personal information, grades, and contact details.
- Data Modification: The attacker could modify existing data, potentially altering grades or other crucial information.
- Data Deletion: An attacker could delete data, disrupting the system’s functionality and potentially causing significant data loss.
- Account Takeover: In some cases, the attacker could potentially use the SQL Injection vulnerability to gain access to administrator accounts.
- System Compromise: In extreme scenarios, the attacker could potentially execute operating system commands on the database server, leading to full system compromise.
Mitigation and Patch Steps
To mitigate this vulnerability, the following steps are recommended:
- Apply the Patch: Check the PHPGurukul website for any available patches or updates for Student Record System 3.20 and apply them immediately. This is the most effective way to address the vulnerability.
- Input Sanitization: Implement robust input sanitization and validation for all user-supplied data, especially for the
sub1,sub2,sub3,sub4, andcourse-shortparameters inadd-subject.php. Use parameterized queries or prepared statements whenever interacting with the database. - Web Application Firewall (WAF): Deploy a web application firewall (WAF) to detect and block malicious SQL Injection attempts. Configure the WAF with rules specifically designed to prevent SQL Injection attacks.
- Principle of Least Privilege: Ensure that the database user account used by the application has only the necessary privileges. Avoid granting unnecessary permissions that could be exploited in the event of a successful SQL Injection attack.
- Regular Security Audits: Conduct regular security audits and penetration testing to identify and address potential vulnerabilities in the system.
