CVE-2024-0497: Campcodes Student Info System SQLi Flaw

CVE-2024-0497 Overview

A critical SQL Injection vulnerability has been identified in Campcodes Student Information System version 1.0. The vulnerability exists in the file /classes/Users.php?f=save, where improper handling of the username argument allows attackers to inject malicious SQL commands. This flaw can be exploited remotely without authentication, potentially enabling unauthorized access to the underlying database, data exfiltration, and complete system compromise.

Critical Impact

This SQL Injection vulnerability allows unauthenticated remote attackers to manipulate database queries through the username parameter, potentially leading to unauthorized data access, data modification, or complete database compromise in educational institution systems.

Affected Products

• Campcodes Simple Student Information System 1.0

Discovery Timeline

• 2024-01-13 - CVE-2024-0497 published to NVD
• 2024-11-21 - Last updated in NVD database

Technical Details for CVE-2024-0497

Vulnerability Analysis

This vulnerability represents a classic SQL Injection flaw (CWE-89) in a web-based student information management system. The affected endpoint /classes/Users.php?f=save processes user-supplied input through the username parameter without proper sanitization or parameterized query implementation. When user input is directly concatenated into SQL queries, attackers can inject arbitrary SQL commands that the database engine will execute with the application's privileges.

The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it requires no authentication and can be exploited over the network. An attacker can leverage this flaw to bypass authentication mechanisms, extract sensitive student records, modify database contents, or potentially escalate to operating system-level access depending on the database configuration. Educational systems typically contain personally identifiable information (PII) including student names, addresses, grades, and identification numbers, making this vulnerability especially impactful in terms of data privacy.

Root Cause

The root cause of this vulnerability is the failure to properly sanitize user-supplied input before incorporating it into SQL queries. The application directly uses the username parameter value in database operations without implementing parameterized queries (prepared statements) or adequate input validation. This allows specially crafted input containing SQL syntax to alter the intended query logic.

Attack Vector

The attack vector is network-based, requiring no privileges or user interaction. An attacker can send a malicious HTTP request to the vulnerable endpoint /classes/Users.php?f=save with a crafted username parameter containing SQL injection payloads. Common attack techniques include:

• Union-based injection: Extracting data from other tables by appending UNION SELECT statements
• Boolean-based blind injection: Inferring database contents through true/false responses
• Time-based blind injection: Using SQL SLEEP or BENCHMARK functions to determine query results
• Error-based injection: Leveraging database error messages to extract information

The exploit details have been publicly disclosed, increasing the risk of exploitation in the wild. Technical documentation is available through the GitHub SQL Injection Document and the VulDB CTI Entry #250602.

Detection Methods for CVE-2024-0497

Indicators of Compromise

• Unusual or malformed requests to /classes/Users.php?f=save containing SQL syntax characters such as single quotes, double dashes, or UNION keywords
• Database error messages in application logs indicating SQL syntax errors
• Unexpected database queries or access patterns in database audit logs
• Evidence of data exfiltration or unauthorized database modifications

Detection Strategies

• Implement Web Application Firewall (WAF) rules to detect and block SQL injection patterns in the username parameter
• Monitor HTTP access logs for requests containing SQL injection signatures targeting the /classes/Users.php endpoint
• Enable database query logging and alert on anomalous query patterns or unexpected UNION, SELECT, or information_schema references
• Deploy intrusion detection systems with signatures for common SQL injection attack payloads

Monitoring Recommendations

• Configure real-time alerting for any access attempts to the vulnerable /classes/Users.php?f=save endpoint with suspicious parameters
• Establish baseline database query patterns and alert on deviations that may indicate successful exploitation
• Monitor for failed authentication attempts combined with unusual database activity that could indicate authentication bypass
• Review database user privilege usage and alert on any escalation attempts

How to Mitigate CVE-2024-0497

Immediate Actions Required

• Restrict network access to the Campcodes Student Information System to trusted networks only
• Implement a Web Application Firewall (WAF) with SQL injection protection rules in front of the application
• If possible, disable or restrict access to the /classes/Users.php?f=save endpoint until a patch is applied
• Review database and application logs for any evidence of prior exploitation

Patch Information

No official vendor patch has been identified in the available references. Organizations using Campcodes Simple Student Information System 1.0 should contact the vendor for remediation guidance or consider migrating to a more actively maintained student information system. Additional details can be found at VulDB #250602.

Workarounds

• Deploy a Web Application Firewall configured to block SQL injection attempts targeting the vulnerable endpoint
• Implement input validation at the network perimeter to sanitize requests before they reach the application
• Restrict database user privileges to minimum necessary permissions to limit the impact of successful exploitation
• Consider network segmentation to isolate the vulnerable system from critical infrastructure

If you have access to the source code, the recommended remediation is to implement parameterized queries (prepared statements) for all database operations involving user-supplied input. This ensures that user input is treated as data rather than executable SQL code.