CVE-2024-0306: Dynamic Lab Management System SQLi Flaw

CVE-2024-0306 Overview

CVE-2024-0306 is a SQL injection vulnerability in Kashipara Dynamic Lab Management System up to version 1.0. The flaw resides in the /admin/admin_login_process.php script, where the admin_password parameter is concatenated into a database query without proper sanitization [CWE-89]. Remote attackers can manipulate the parameter to inject arbitrary SQL statements against the backend database. The exploit details have been publicly disclosed under VulDB identifier VDB-249873, increasing the likelihood of opportunistic attacks against exposed installations.

Critical Impact
Unauthenticated remote attackers can inject SQL through the admin login process, exposing administrative credentials and sensitive database contents.

Affected Products

Kashipara Dynamic Lab Management System versions up to and including 1.0
The vulnerable component is /admin/admin_login_process.php
The vulnerable parameter is admin_password

Discovery Timeline

2024-01-08 - CVE-2024-0306 published to NVD
2024-11-21 - Last updated in NVD database

Technical Details for CVE-2024-0306

Vulnerability Analysis

The vulnerability exists in the administrator authentication workflow of Dynamic Lab Management System. The script /admin/admin_login_process.php accepts the admin_password parameter through an HTTP POST request and embeds it directly into a SQL query. Because the input is neither parameterized nor escaped, attacker-supplied SQL syntax is interpreted by the database engine.

The flaw is exploitable remotely over the network and requires no authentication or user interaction. According to the CVSS vector, only confidentiality is impacted, which is consistent with attackers exfiltrating data through query manipulation rather than gaining write or denial-of-service capabilities. EPSS data indicates a 0.126% probability of exploitation, placing the CVE in the 31.35th percentile.

Root Cause

The root cause is improper neutralization of special elements used in a SQL command [CWE-89]. The login handler builds the authentication query through string concatenation using untrusted POST input. PHP-based applications such as this one remain vulnerable when developers use legacy mysql_* or unsanitized mysqli calls instead of prepared statements with bound parameters.

Attack Vector

An attacker sends a crafted POST request to /admin/admin_login_process.php with malicious SQL payloads in the admin_password field. Typical payloads include boolean-based authentication bypass strings or UNION-based payloads designed to enumerate database tables. Successful exploitation can return administrator session cookies, password hashes, or arbitrary data from joined tables. Refer to the GitHub Vulnerability Report and the VulDB CVE Analysis for technical artifacts.

Detection Methods for CVE-2024-0306

Indicators of Compromise

POST requests to /admin/admin_login_process.php containing SQL syntax such as OR 1=1, UNION SELECT, --, or /* inside the admin_password field
Unusual successful administrator logins originating from previously unseen IP addresses
Database error messages or HTTP 500 responses returned by admin_login_process.php
Spikes in failed login attempts followed by a successful login from the same source

Detection Strategies

Deploy web application firewall rules that inspect POST bodies submitted to admin login endpoints for SQL metacharacters
Enable verbose query logging on the MySQL backend and alert on queries originating from the admin login handler containing tautologies or UNION operators
Correlate web server access logs with authentication audit events to identify mismatches between credential entry and successful logon

Monitoring Recommendations

Forward Apache or Nginx access logs to a central analytics platform and baseline normal request sizes for /admin/admin_login_process.php
Monitor for outbound database connections or large result sets immediately following requests to the admin login endpoint
Track changes to administrative user records in the application database and alert on unexpected modifications

How to Mitigate CVE-2024-0306

Immediate Actions Required

Restrict network access to the /admin/ directory using IP allow-listing or VPN-only access until a fix is available
Disable the Dynamic Lab Management System administrative interface on internet-exposed deployments
Rotate all administrator credentials and review the application database for unauthorized account creation
Audit web server logs for prior exploitation attempts against admin_login_process.php

Patch Information

No vendor patch has been published for Kashipara Dynamic Lab Management System version 1.0 at the time of CVE publication. Organizations should track vendor channels and the VulDB #249873 entry for updates. Until an official fix is released, mitigation depends on configuration changes and compensating controls.

Workarounds

Rewrite /admin/admin_login_process.php to use prepared statements with bound parameters via mysqli or PDO
Add server-side input validation that rejects non-printable characters and SQL metacharacters in authentication fields
Deploy a web application firewall in front of the application with SQL injection signatures enabled
Apply the principle of least privilege to the database user account used by the application, removing INFORMATION_SCHEMA and write permissions where not required

bash

# Example ModSecurity rule to block SQL syntax in admin_password POST parameter
SecRule REQUEST_URI "@streq /admin/admin_login_process.php" \
    "phase:2,chain,deny,status:403,id:1002024,log,msg:'CVE-2024-0306 SQLi attempt'"
    SecRule ARGS:admin_password "@rx (?i)(union(\s)+select|or(\s)+1=1|--|/\*|;)" \
        "t:none,t:urlDecode,t:lowercase"