CVE-2024-3221: PHP Task Management System SQL Injection Flaw

CVE-2024-3221 is a critical SQL injection vulnerability in Mayurik PHP Task Management System affecting the attendance-info.php file. Attackers can exploit the user_id parameter remotely to manipulate database queries. This article covers technical details, affected versions, impact assessment, and mitigation strategies.

CVE-2024-3221 Overview

CVE-2024-3221 is a SQL injection vulnerability in SourceCodester PHP Task Management System 1.0. The flaw resides in attendance-info.php, where the user_id parameter is passed to a database query without proper sanitization. Remote attackers with low-level privileges can manipulate this parameter to inject arbitrary SQL statements. The exploit has been publicly disclosed, increasing the risk of opportunistic attacks against exposed installations. The vulnerability is tracked as VulDB identifier 259066 and mapped to CWE-89.

Critical Impact
Successful exploitation allows attackers to read, modify, or delete arbitrary database records, potentially exposing user credentials, attendance data, and task management records.

Affected Products

Mayurik PHP Task Management System 1.0
Component: attendance-info.php
CPE: cpe:2.3:a:mayurik:php_task_management_system:1.0

Discovery Timeline

2024-04-03 - CVE-2024-3221 published to NVD
2026-06-17 - Last updated in NVD database

Technical Details for CVE-2024-3221

Vulnerability Analysis

The vulnerability is a classic SQL injection flaw affecting the attendance-info.php endpoint of the PHP Task Management System. The application accepts the user_id HTTP parameter and concatenates it directly into a backend SQL query. Attackers can supply crafted input to break out of the intended query context and execute arbitrary SQL. Because the attack originates over the network and requires only low privileges, authenticated low-tier users can escalate their access to the full database. The public disclosure of the exploit details increases the likelihood of scripted attacks against exposed installations. See the GitHub CVE Report Document and VulDB #259066 for technical write-ups.

Root Cause

The root cause is improper neutralization of special elements used in an SQL command [CWE-89]. The user_id parameter is embedded into a dynamic query without prepared statements or input validation. This allows characters such as single quotes, comments, and UNION operators to alter query semantics.

Attack Vector

An attacker sends an HTTP request to attendance-info.php with a malicious user_id value. The payload can extract data using UNION-based techniques, enumerate the schema through error-based methods, or exfiltrate content using time-based blind injection. No user interaction is required beyond authenticated session access.

No verified proof-of-concept code is referenced in the enriched data. Refer to the VulDB Submission #308626 for additional context on the disclosed exploitation technique.

Detection Methods for CVE-2024-3221

Indicators of Compromise

HTTP requests to attendance-info.php containing SQL metacharacters such as ', --, UNION, SELECT, or SLEEP( in the user_id parameter.
Unexpected database error messages logged by PHP or MySQL originating from the attendance module.
Anomalous outbound traffic or database read volumes correlated with requests to the affected endpoint.

Detection Strategies

Deploy web application firewall (WAF) rules that inspect the user_id parameter for SQL injection patterns.
Enable MySQL general query logging and alert on suspicious query structures referencing information_schema or UNION SELECT.
Correlate authentication events with abnormal query rates from the same session to identify credentialed abuse.

Monitoring Recommendations

Monitor web server access logs for repeated 500-series responses from attendance-info.php.
Track database process activity for long-running queries indicative of time-based blind SQL injection.
Baseline normal request patterns for authenticated user sessions and flag deviations.

How to Mitigate CVE-2024-3221

Immediate Actions Required

Restrict network access to the PHP Task Management System deployment to trusted users only.
Audit web server and database logs for prior exploitation attempts against attendance-info.php.
Rotate credentials and session tokens if compromise is suspected.

Patch Information

No vendor patch is referenced in the enriched CVE data at the time of publication. Organizations running Mayurik PHP Task Management System 1.0 should consult the vendor directly and consider decommissioning the affected version. Track updates through the VulDB CTI entry.

Workarounds

Place the application behind a WAF configured to block SQL injection payloads targeting the user_id parameter.
Apply source-level fixes by replacing string concatenation with parameterized queries or PDO prepared statements.
Enforce strict input validation to allow only numeric values for the user_id field.
Remove or disable the attendance-info.php endpoint if it is not required for business operations.

bash

# Example ModSecurity rule to block SQL injection patterns in user_id
SecRule ARGS:user_id "@rx (?i)(union(.*?)select|sleep\(|--|';|/\*)" \
    "id:1002401,phase:2,deny,status:403,\
    msg:'Potential SQL Injection targeting CVE-2024-3221',\
    tag:'CWE-89'"