CVE-2024-12487: Online Class Scheduling System SQLi Flaw

CVE-2024-12487 Overview

CVE-2024-12487 is a SQL injection vulnerability in code-projects Online Class and Exam Scheduling System 1.0. The flaw resides in the /pages/room_update.php script, where the id parameter is passed to a database query without proper sanitization. Attackers can manipulate this parameter to inject arbitrary SQL statements. The vulnerability is remotely exploitable and requires low-privileged authentication. Public disclosure of the exploit technique has occurred through VulDB and GitHub references. The weakness is classified under [CWE-74] (Improper Neutralization of Special Elements in Output Used by a Downstream Component).

Critical Impact
Authenticated remote attackers can inject SQL queries through the id parameter of room_update.php, leading to unauthorized read and write access to backend database contents.

Affected Products

code-projects Online Class and Exam Scheduling System 1.0
Vendor: Fabian (code-projects)
Component: /pages/room_update.php

Discovery Timeline

2024-12-12 - CVE-2024-12487 published to NVD
2026-06-17 - Last updated in NVD database

Technical Details for CVE-2024-12487

Vulnerability Analysis

The vulnerability affects the room update workflow within the Online Class and Exam Scheduling System. The room_update.php script accepts an id parameter over HTTP and incorporates it directly into a SQL query. Because the application does not use parameterized statements or input validation, attacker-supplied SQL fragments are executed by the backend database engine. Exploitation requires network access and low-level authenticated privileges within the application. Successful attacks can enumerate database contents, modify records, or bypass application logic tied to room scheduling data.

Root Cause

The root cause is improper neutralization of user-controlled input passed to a downstream SQL interpreter [CWE-74]. The id argument received by /pages/room_update.php is concatenated into a query string rather than bound as a prepared statement parameter. This design allows the database to interpret attacker-controlled characters as SQL syntax.

Attack Vector

An authenticated user sends a crafted HTTP request to /pages/room_update.php with a malicious payload in the id parameter. The payload can include SQL operators such as UNION SELECT, boolean-based conditions, or time-based blind injection primitives. The public disclosure referenced in the GitHub CVE Documentation demonstrates the injection point. No user interaction beyond the attacker's own session is required.

Since no verified proof-of-concept code has been released to structured exploit databases, defenders should treat the VulDB entry #287869 as the authoritative technical reference.

Detection Methods for CVE-2024-12487

Indicators of Compromise

HTTP requests to /pages/room_update.php containing SQL metacharacters such as single quotes, UNION, SELECT, SLEEP(, or -- in the id parameter.
Unexpected database errors or long-running queries originating from the scheduling application's database user.
Web server access logs showing repeated id parameter variations from a single source IP within a short time window.

Detection Strategies

Deploy web application firewall (WAF) rules that inspect the id query parameter for common SQL injection signatures.
Enable database query logging and alert on statements referencing scheduling tables that contain suspicious tautologies like 1=1 or OR '1'.
Correlate authentication events with subsequent access to room_update.php to identify low-privileged accounts probing the endpoint.

Monitoring Recommendations

Monitor outbound network activity from the database host for unusual data volumes that could indicate exfiltration.
Track application error rates and 500-series HTTP responses tied to the /pages/ directory.
Retain HTTP request bodies and query strings for forensic analysis of injection attempts.

How to Mitigate CVE-2024-12487

Immediate Actions Required

Restrict network access to the Online Class and Exam Scheduling System to trusted users while remediation is in progress.
Audit application logs for prior exploitation attempts against room_update.php.
Rotate database credentials used by the application if injection attempts are confirmed.

Patch Information

No vendor patch has been published for code-projects Online Class and Exam Scheduling System 1.0 at the time of NVD publication. Consult the Code Projects Resource and the VulDB submission #459083 for the latest remediation status. Organizations relying on this software should evaluate replacing the affected component or applying a source-level fix that enforces prepared statements.

Workarounds

Rewrite the SQL query in room_update.php to use parameterized queries or PDO prepared statements with typed binding for the id value.
Apply strict server-side input validation that limits id to numeric values before it reaches the database layer.
Place the application behind a WAF configured with SQL injection signatures until code-level fixes are deployed.
Enforce least-privilege database accounts so the application user cannot read or modify tables outside its functional scope.

bash

# Example WAF rule pattern (ModSecurity) blocking SQLi in the id parameter
SecRule ARGS:id "@rx (?i)(union(.*?)select|sleep\(|--|';|\bor\b\s+1=1)" \
    "id:1002487,phase:2,deny,status:403,msg:'Potential SQLi against room_update.php (CVE-2024-12487)'"