CVE-2024-3351: Aplaya Beach Resort System SQLi Flaw

CVE-2024-3351 Overview

A critical SQL injection vulnerability has been identified in SourceCodester Aplaya Beach Resort Online Reservation System version 1.0. The vulnerability exists in the admin module located at admin/mod_roomtype/index.php, where improper handling of the id parameter allows attackers to inject malicious SQL commands. This flaw enables remote attackers to manipulate database queries without authentication, potentially leading to complete database compromise, unauthorized data access, and full system takeover.

Critical Impact

Remote attackers can exploit this SQL injection vulnerability to extract sensitive data, modify database records, or execute administrative operations on the underlying database server without authentication.

Affected Products

• Janobe Aplaya Beach Resort Online Reservation System 1.0
• SourceCodester Aplaya Beach Resort Online Reservation System 1.0

Discovery Timeline

• 2024-04-05 - CVE-2024-3351 published to NVD
• 2025-02-11 - Last updated in NVD database

Technical Details for CVE-2024-3351

Vulnerability Analysis

This SQL injection vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation in the room type management functionality of the reservation system's administrative interface. The vulnerable endpoint at admin/mod_roomtype/index.php accepts an id parameter that is directly incorporated into SQL queries without proper sanitization or parameterization. Since the attack vector is network-based and requires no authentication or user interaction, remote attackers can trivially exploit this vulnerability to interact with the backend database. The impact is severe, with potential for complete compromise of confidentiality, integrity, and availability of the database and its contents.

Root Cause

The root cause of CVE-2024-3351 is classic improper input validation (CWE-89: SQL Injection). The application fails to properly sanitize, validate, or parameterize user-supplied input before incorporating it into SQL queries. The id parameter is directly concatenated into database queries without using prepared statements or escaping special characters, allowing attackers to break out of the intended query structure and inject arbitrary SQL commands.

Attack Vector

The attack can be initiated remotely over the network by any unauthenticated attacker. The vulnerable parameter id in admin/mod_roomtype/index.php accepts malicious SQL payloads that modify the intended query behavior. Attackers can craft requests containing SQL injection payloads to extract database contents, bypass authentication mechanisms, modify or delete records, or in some configurations, execute operating system commands through database functions.

Since no proof-of-concept code is available, the vulnerability can be described as follows: an attacker sends a crafted HTTP request to the admin/mod_roomtype/index.php endpoint with the id parameter containing SQL injection payloads such as ' OR '1'='1 or UNION SELECT statements. The application's failure to sanitize this input allows the malicious SQL to execute directly against the database. For technical details, refer to the VulDB advisory and the GitHub vulnerability report.

Detection Methods for CVE-2024-3351

Indicators of Compromise

• Unusual HTTP requests to admin/mod_roomtype/index.php containing SQL syntax characters such as single quotes, double dashes, semicolons, or UNION statements in the id parameter
• Database error messages appearing in application logs or HTTP responses indicating SQL syntax errors
• Unexpected database queries or data access patterns in database audit logs
• Evidence of data exfiltration or unauthorized database modifications

Detection Strategies

• Deploy Web Application Firewall (WAF) rules to detect and block common SQL injection patterns targeting the id parameter
• Implement application logging to capture all requests to the admin/mod_roomtype/index.php endpoint with full parameter values
• Configure database auditing to alert on unusual query patterns, failed queries, or access to sensitive tables
• Use intrusion detection systems (IDS) with signatures for SQL injection attack patterns

Monitoring Recommendations

• Monitor web server access logs for requests to admin/mod_roomtype/index.php with abnormal id parameter values
• Set up alerts for database error rates and unusual query execution times that may indicate exploitation attempts
• Track failed login attempts and authentication anomalies in the admin panel
• Implement real-time log analysis for SQL injection signatures in HTTP traffic

How to Mitigate CVE-2024-3351

Immediate Actions Required

• Take the Aplaya Beach Resort Online Reservation System offline if it is exposed to untrusted networks until remediation is complete
• Implement Web Application Firewall rules to block SQL injection attempts targeting the vulnerable endpoint
• Restrict network access to the administrative interface (/admin/) to trusted IP addresses only
• Review database logs for evidence of prior exploitation and assess data integrity

Patch Information

At the time of this advisory, no official vendor patch is available for CVE-2024-3351. The SourceCodester Aplaya Beach Resort Online Reservation System version 1.0 remains vulnerable. Organizations using this software should consider migrating to alternative reservation systems with active security maintenance or implementing the code-level mitigations described below. Monitor VulDB and the vendor's resources for any future security updates.

Workarounds

• Implement prepared statements with parameterized queries in the admin/mod_roomtype/index.php file to prevent SQL injection
• Apply input validation to ensure the id parameter only accepts integer values
• Deploy a reverse proxy or WAF with SQL injection protection in front of the application
• Restrict database user privileges to the minimum required for application functionality

# Example: Restrict admin panel access via .htaccess
# Add to /admin/.htaccess to limit access by IP
<Directory "/admin">
    Order Deny,Allow
    Deny from all
    Allow from 192.168.1.0/24
    Allow from 10.0.0.0/8
</Directory>