CVE-2024-3316: Computer Lab Management System SQLi Flaw

CVE-2024-3316 Overview

CVE-2024-3316 is a SQL injection vulnerability in SourceCodester Computer Laboratory Management System 1.0, developed by oretnom23. The flaw resides in /admin/category/view_category.php, where the id parameter is passed unsanitized into a database query. Authenticated attackers can manipulate the parameter remotely to alter query logic, extract sensitive data, or modify database contents. The exploit has been publicly disclosed and is tracked as VulDB entry VDB-259387. The weakness is classified under [CWE-89] (Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an SQL Command).

Critical Impact
Remote authenticated attackers can inject arbitrary SQL through the id parameter, leading to disclosure, modification, or deletion of database records.

Affected Products

SourceCodester Computer Laboratory Management System 1.0
Vendor: oretnom23
Vulnerable component: /admin/category/view_category.php

Discovery Timeline

2024-04-04 - CVE-2024-3316 published to NVD
2026-06-17 - Last updated in NVD database

Technical Details for CVE-2024-3316

Vulnerability Analysis

The vulnerability affects the category viewing functionality in the administrative interface of Computer Laboratory Management System 1.0. The view_category.php script accepts an id parameter from the request and concatenates it directly into a SQL statement without parameterization or input validation. An attacker with low-privilege administrative access can supply crafted SQL payloads through this parameter to alter the intended query. Successful exploitation impacts confidentiality, integrity, and availability of the underlying database. The public disclosure of exploitation details lowers the barrier to attack, as reference material is available through the VulDB entry and associated GitHub resource.

Root Cause

The root cause is improper neutralization of user-supplied input in a SQL query [CWE-89]. The id parameter passed to /admin/category/view_category.php is inserted into a database statement without prepared statements or escaping. This allows attacker-controlled data to be interpreted as SQL syntax rather than as a literal value.

Attack Vector

Exploitation occurs over the network against the admin interface. The attacker needs some level of authenticated access to reach the vulnerable endpoint. Once reached, the attacker appends SQL syntax to the id query string parameter. Because the application echoes query results or errors, standard union-based, error-based, or boolean-blind injection techniques apply. See the VulDB entry #259387 and the GitHub resource document for disclosed details.

No verified proof-of-concept code is included here. The vulnerability manifests when the id parameter in a GET request to /admin/category/view_category.php is manipulated with SQL metacharacters. Refer to the linked references for exploitation specifics.

Detection Methods for CVE-2024-3316

Indicators of Compromise

Web server access logs containing requests to /admin/category/view_category.php with SQL metacharacters (', ", --, UNION, SELECT, SLEEP, 0x) in the id parameter.
Anomalous database errors or unusually long response times originating from the category view endpoint.
Unexpected SELECT, UNION, or INFORMATION_SCHEMA queries in MySQL general or slow query logs tied to the application user.

Detection Strategies

Deploy a web application firewall (WAF) rule set that inspects the id query parameter for SQL injection payloads on the view_category.php path.
Enable MySQL query logging and correlate suspicious query patterns with the requesting source IP and session identifier.
Alert on repeated HTTP 500 responses or database exception messages from the admin category endpoint.

Monitoring Recommendations

Baseline normal admin usage of /admin/category/view_category.php and alert on deviations in request frequency, payload size, or parameter entropy.
Monitor for privilege escalation actions following admin login, including database schema enumeration queries.
Track outbound data volumes from the database host to detect bulk exfiltration following successful injection.

How to Mitigate CVE-2024-3316

Immediate Actions Required

Restrict access to the /admin/ directory to trusted management networks or through VPN and IP allowlisting.
Rotate credentials for any administrative accounts that could reach view_category.php, and audit recent admin sessions.
Deploy WAF signatures that block SQL injection patterns targeting the id parameter on the admin endpoints.

Patch Information

No official vendor patch is listed in the available advisory data. Because SourceCodester Computer Laboratory Management System is distributed as source code, operators should apply source-level fixes. Convert the vulnerable query in /admin/category/view_category.php to use parameterized statements via PDO or MySQLi prepared statements, and cast the id parameter to an integer before use.

Workarounds

Replace direct string concatenation with prepared statements using PDO::prepare() or mysqli_prepare() and bind the id parameter as an integer.
Add server-side input validation to reject non-numeric values for the id parameter before it reaches any database function.
If patching is not feasible, disable the affected view_category.php endpoint or place the application behind an authenticated reverse proxy with strict request filtering.

bash

# Example PHP remediation pattern for view_category.php
# Replace:
#   $id = $_GET['id'];
#   $sql = "SELECT * FROM categories WHERE id = $id";
# With parameterized query:
$id = filter_input(INPUT_GET, 'id', FILTER_VALIDATE_INT);
if ($id === false || $id === null) {
    http_response_code(400);
    exit('Invalid category id');
}
$stmt = $pdo->prepare('SELECT * FROM categories WHERE id = :id');
$stmt->bindValue(':id', $id, PDO::PARAM_INT);
$stmt->execute();