Critical SQL Injection Flaw Discovered in PHPGurukul Student Record System 3.20 (CVE-2024-44636)

Overview

CVE-2024-44636 describes a SQL Injection vulnerability affecting PHPGurukul Student Record System version 3.20. This vulnerability allows a remote attacker to potentially execute arbitrary SQL commands within the application’s database, leading to data breaches, modification, or even complete system compromise. The vulnerability exists within the /admin-profile.php script.

Technical Details

The vulnerability stems from insufficient input sanitization within the /admin-profile.php script. Specifically, the adminname and aemailid parameters are vulnerable to SQL injection. An attacker can manipulate these parameters by injecting malicious SQL code. Because the application fails to properly validate or escape user-supplied data before incorporating it into a SQL query, the injected code gets executed directly within the database.

An attacker could craft a malicious URL like this:

/admin-profile.php?adminname='; DROP TABLE users;--&aemailid=test@example.com

This is a demonstration. A real attack would likely use more sophisticated techniques to extract data or escalate privileges.

CVSS Analysis

Currently, a CVSS score has not been assigned to CVE-2024-44636 (N/A). While the severity is also listed as N/A, the nature of a SQL injection vulnerability suggests a significant potential impact. The actual CVSS score will depend on factors like the privileges required to exploit the vulnerability and the impact on data confidentiality, integrity, and availability. Given the potential for complete system compromise, a high severity rating is likely.

Possible Impact

Successful exploitation of this vulnerability can lead to severe consequences, including:

• Data Breach: Sensitive student data, including personal information, grades, and financial records, could be stolen.
• Data Modification: Attackers could alter student records, potentially leading to academic and financial discrepancies.
• Account Takeover: Attackers could gain administrative access to the system, allowing them to control all aspects of the application.
• System Compromise: In the worst-case scenario, an attacker could gain complete control over the underlying server, potentially impacting other applications and data.
• Denial of Service (DoS): By manipulating database queries, an attacker might be able to disrupt normal system operation.

Mitigation or Patch Steps

To mitigate this vulnerability, the following steps should be taken:

1. Update to the latest version (if available): Check the PHPGurukul website for a patched version of the Student Record System. If a patch is available, apply it immediately.
2. Input Validation and Sanitization: Implement robust input validation and sanitization techniques for all user-supplied data, especially the adminname and aemailid parameters in /admin-profile.php. Use prepared statements or parameterized queries to prevent SQL injection.
3. Web Application Firewall (WAF): Deploy a web application firewall (WAF) to detect and block malicious SQL injection attempts. Configure the WAF with rules to filter out common SQL injection patterns.
4. Least Privilege Principle: Ensure that the database user account used by the application has only the necessary privileges to perform its tasks. Avoid granting excessive privileges.
5. Regular Security Audits: Conduct regular security audits and penetration testing to identify and address potential vulnerabilities.