CVE-2024-3251: Computer Laboratory Management System SQLI

CVE-2024-3251 Overview

CVE-2024-3251 is a SQL injection vulnerability in SourceCodester Computer Laboratory Management System 1.0, developed by oretnom23. The flaw resides in the /admin/?page=borrow/view_borrow endpoint, where the id parameter is passed directly into a database query without sanitization. Attackers with low-privilege authenticated access can manipulate the parameter to execute arbitrary SQL statements remotely. The issue is tracked as VDB-259100 and maps to [CWE-89]. Public exploitation details have been disclosed, increasing the risk for exposed deployments.

Critical Impact
Authenticated remote attackers can extract, modify, or destroy database contents through the vulnerable id parameter, compromising confidentiality, integrity, and availability of laboratory records.

Affected Products

SourceCodester Computer Laboratory Management System 1.0
oretnom23 Computer Laboratory Management System (all 1.0 builds)
Deployments exposing /admin/?page=borrow/view_borrow

Discovery Timeline

2024-04-03 - CVE-2024-3251 published to the National Vulnerability Database (NVD)
2026-06-17 - Last updated in NVD database

Technical Details for CVE-2024-3251

Vulnerability Analysis

The vulnerability affects the borrow record view functionality in the administrative interface of the Computer Laboratory Management System. The application accepts the id query parameter and concatenates it into a SQL statement without parameterization or input validation. An authenticated attacker can inject SQL syntax through this parameter to alter query logic.

Successful exploitation allows extraction of sensitive database contents such as user credentials, borrow history, and equipment records. Attackers can also modify or delete records, escalate privileges within the application, or place persistent backdoors through database manipulation. The attack requires network access to the admin panel and low-privilege authentication.

Root Cause

The root cause is improper neutralization of special elements used in a SQL command [CWE-89]. The application passes the id parameter into a query string built through direct concatenation rather than prepared statements or parameterized queries. No allow-list validation, type coercion, or escaping is applied before the value reaches the database driver.

Attack Vector

Exploitation is performed remotely over HTTP against the /admin/?page=borrow/view_borrow&id=<payload> endpoint. An attacker submits a crafted id value containing SQL metacharacters such as single quotes, UNION statements, or boolean-based conditions. Because the exploit has been publicly disclosed, automated scanners and opportunistic actors can weaponize the flaw against internet-exposed instances. Refer to the GitHub SQL Injection Research writeup for payload details.

No verified proof-of-concept code is reproduced here. See the VulDB Analysis #259100 entry for technical context.

Detection Methods for CVE-2024-3251

Indicators of Compromise

HTTP requests to /admin/?page=borrow/view_borrow containing SQL metacharacters such as ', --, UNION, SELECT, or SLEEP( in the id parameter.
Web server access logs showing repeated requests with numeric-then-string transitions in the id value.
Database error messages returned to clients referencing MySQL or MariaDB syntax exceptions.
Unexpected new administrative accounts or modified borrow records in the application database.

Detection Strategies

Deploy web application firewall (WAF) signatures targeting SQL injection patterns against the admin endpoint.
Enable database query logging and alert on statements originating from the view_borrow code path containing tautologies or stacked queries.
Correlate authentication events with abnormal request volumes to the admin borrow module.

Monitoring Recommendations

Monitor HTTP 500 responses from /admin/?page=borrow/view_borrow as a proxy for injection probing.
Track outbound database traffic for unusual information_schema queries originating from the application service account.
Alert on privilege changes and schema modifications within the CLMS database.

How to Mitigate CVE-2024-3251

Immediate Actions Required

Restrict access to the /admin/ interface using network controls, VPN, or IP allow-listing until a fix is applied.
Rotate all administrator credentials and database service account passwords used by the application.
Audit the CLMS database for unauthorized records, new accounts, or modified borrow entries.
Review web server logs for historical exploitation attempts against the view_borrow endpoint.

Patch Information

No official vendor patch is referenced in the NVD data for CVE-2024-3251. Organizations running SourceCodester Computer Laboratory Management System 1.0 should treat the software as unpatched and evaluate migration or code-level remediation. Consult the VulDB Details #259100 entry for advisory updates.

Workarounds

Modify the vulnerable source to use parameterized queries or prepared statements for the id parameter.
Add server-side input validation enforcing an integer type on the id value before it reaches the query builder.
Deploy a reverse proxy with SQL injection filtering in front of the application.
Remove the application from public networks and restrict it to trusted internal segments.

bash

# Example WAF rule (ModSecurity) blocking SQLi patterns on the vulnerable endpoint
SecRule REQUEST_URI "@rx /admin/\?page=borrow/view_borrow" \
    "chain,phase:2,deny,status:403,id:1002451,msg:'CVE-2024-3251 SQLi attempt'"
SecRule ARGS:id "@rx (?i)(union(\s|\+)+select|sleep\(|--|';)" "t:none"