Overview
A critical SQL Injection vulnerability has been identified in PHPGurukul Complaint Management System version 2.0. This vulnerability, tracked as CVE-2024-44654, allows attackers to potentially execute arbitrary SQL queries on the system’s database, potentially leading to data breaches, unauthorized access, and complete system compromise. The vulnerability is located in the `reset-password.php` file, specifically within the `email` and `mobileno` parameters.
Technical Details
The `reset-password.php` script in PHPGurukul Complaint Management System 2.0 is susceptible to SQL injection because it fails to properly sanitize user-supplied input before using it in database queries. An attacker can craft malicious SQL queries embedded within the `email` and `mobileno` parameters. For example, an attacker could inject SQL code into the `email` parameter like this:
email=' OR '1'='1This injected code could bypass authentication checks or extract sensitive information directly from the database.
CVSS Analysis
As of the date of publication (2025-11-17), the National Vulnerability Database (NVD) has not provided a CVSS score for CVE-2024-44654. The severity is currently listed as N/A. However, given the nature of SQL injection vulnerabilities, it is likely to be classified as HIGH or CRITICAL once a CVSS score is assigned. The potential for unauthorized data access and complete system takeover justifies a high severity assessment.
Possible Impact
A successful SQL injection attack can have severe consequences:
- Data Breach: Sensitive user data (usernames, passwords, personal information, complaint details) can be exposed.
- Unauthorized Access: Attackers can gain administrative access to the system.
- Data Modification: Attackers can modify or delete data within the database, disrupting normal operations.
- System Compromise: In the worst-case scenario, attackers can gain complete control of the server hosting the application.
Mitigation and Patch Steps
To address this vulnerability, the following steps are recommended:
- Apply the Official Patch: Check the PHPGurukul website for an official patch or updated version of the Complaint Management System. Upgrade to the latest version as soon as possible.
- Input Sanitization: Implement robust input sanitization and validation for all user-supplied input, especially the `email` and `mobileno` parameters in `reset-password.php`. Use parameterized queries or prepared statements to prevent SQL injection.
- Web Application Firewall (WAF): Deploy a Web Application Firewall (WAF) to detect and block malicious SQL injection attempts. Configure the WAF to have rules that can detect SQL injection patterns.
- Principle of Least Privilege: Ensure that the database user account used by the application has only the minimum necessary privileges. This limits the impact of a successful SQL injection attack.
- Regular Security Audits: Conduct regular security audits and penetration testing to identify and address potential vulnerabilities.
References
- CVE-2024-44654: GitHub Advisory
- PHPGurukul Complaint Management System: Official Website
