CVE-2024-0884 Overview
A critical SQL injection vulnerability has been identified in SourceCodester Online Tours & Travels Management System version 1.0. The vulnerability exists in the payment.php file, specifically within the exec function, where the id parameter is not properly sanitized before being used in SQL queries. This flaw allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary SQL commands, potentially leading to unauthorized database access, data exfiltration, and complete system compromise.
Critical Impact
This SQL injection vulnerability enables unauthenticated remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands against the application's database, potentially compromising all stored data including user credentials, payment information, and travel booking records.
Affected Products
- Mayurik Online Tours & Travels Management System 1.0
- SourceCodester Online Tours & Travels Management System 1.0
Discovery Timeline
- 2024-01-25 - CVE-2024-0884 published to NVD
- 2024-11-21 - Last updated in NVD database
Technical Details for CVE-2024-0884
Vulnerability Analysis
This vulnerability is classified as CWE-89 (SQL Injection), a well-known web application security flaw that occurs when user-supplied data is incorporated into SQL queries without adequate validation or parameterization. In the case of CVE-2024-0884, the payment.php file accepts an id parameter that is directly used in database operations through the exec function.
The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it requires no authentication to exploit, can be triggered remotely over the network, and has no user interaction requirements. An attacker can craft malicious SQL statements within the id parameter to manipulate database queries, potentially extracting sensitive information, modifying or deleting data, or escalating privileges within the database management system.
The exploit for this vulnerability has been publicly disclosed, increasing the risk profile for organizations running unpatched versions of this travel management system.
Root Cause
The root cause of this vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and the lack of parameterized queries in the payment.php file. The exec function processes the id parameter without sanitizing special SQL characters or using prepared statements, allowing attackers to break out of the intended query context and inject their own SQL commands. This is a fundamental secure coding oversight where user input is trusted and concatenated directly into SQL statements.
Attack Vector
The attack is network-based and can be initiated remotely by any unauthenticated attacker who can reach the vulnerable web application. The attacker sends a crafted HTTP request to payment.php with a malicious payload in the id parameter. This payload contains SQL syntax that, when processed by the application, alters the intended database query behavior.
Typical attack scenarios include:
- Data Extraction: Using UNION-based or blind SQL injection techniques to extract sensitive database contents
- Authentication Bypass: Manipulating queries to bypass login mechanisms
- Data Manipulation: Inserting, updating, or deleting records in the database
- Privilege Escalation: Attempting to execute stored procedures or database-level commands
The vulnerability is documented in technical references including a CSDN Blog Article that provides additional details about the exploitation technique.
Detection Methods for CVE-2024-0884
Indicators of Compromise
- Unusual HTTP requests to payment.php containing SQL keywords (UNION, SELECT, INSERT, DROP, etc.) in the id parameter
- Database error messages appearing in web server logs or application responses
- Unexpected database queries or query patterns in database audit logs
- Signs of data exfiltration or unauthorized database access in monitoring systems
Detection Strategies
- Implement Web Application Firewall (WAF) rules to detect and block SQL injection patterns in request parameters
- Enable database query logging and monitor for anomalous query structures or unauthorized data access
- Deploy intrusion detection systems (IDS) with signatures for common SQL injection attack patterns
- Review web server access logs for requests to payment.php with encoded or suspicious id parameter values
Monitoring Recommendations
- Configure real-time alerting for SQL syntax detected in HTTP request parameters
- Monitor database connection patterns for unusual query execution from the web application
- Set up file integrity monitoring on payment.php and related application files
- Implement application performance monitoring to detect unusual query execution times that may indicate blind SQL injection attempts
How to Mitigate CVE-2024-0884
Immediate Actions Required
- Immediately restrict access to the payment.php file or the entire application if patching is not immediately possible
- Implement input validation at the web application firewall level to filter SQL injection attempts
- Review and audit all database access logs for signs of prior exploitation
- Consider taking the application offline until a secure version can be deployed
Patch Information
No official vendor patch information is available at this time. Organizations should contact the vendor (Mayurik/SourceCodester) for remediation guidance. In the absence of an official patch, implementing the workarounds below and considering alternative software solutions is strongly recommended.
For additional vulnerability details, refer to VulDB Entry #252035.
Workarounds
- Deploy a Web Application Firewall (WAF) with SQL injection protection enabled and configured to inspect the id parameter
- Implement input validation to ensure the id parameter accepts only numeric values using server-side validation
- Use prepared statements and parameterized queries when modifying the source code as a custom fix
- Restrict network access to the application using IP whitelisting or VPN requirements
- Consider migrating to a more actively maintained travel management system with better security practices
# Example WAF rule for ModSecurity to block SQL injection in the id parameter
SecRule ARGS:id "@detectSQLi" \
"id:1001,\
phase:2,\
block,\
msg:'SQL Injection attempt detected in id parameter',\
log,\
severity:'CRITICAL'"
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
