CVE-2024-4916 Overview
CVE-2024-4916 is a SQL injection vulnerability in Campcodes Online Examination System 1.0. The flaw resides in the selExamAttemptExe.php script, where the thisId parameter is passed directly into a SQL query without proper sanitization. An attacker with low-level authenticated access can manipulate this parameter to inject arbitrary SQL statements. The attack can be launched remotely over the network. The exploit has been publicly disclosed under VulDB identifier VDB-264451, increasing the risk of opportunistic abuse against exposed installations.
Critical Impact
Authenticated remote attackers can inject arbitrary SQL through the thisId parameter, potentially exposing or modifying examination data, user credentials, and other database contents.
Affected Products
- Campcodes Online Examination System 1.0
- Component: selExamAttemptExe.php
- CPE: cpe:2.3:a:campcodes:online_examination_system:1.0
Discovery Timeline
- 2024-05-15 - CVE-2024-4916 published to NVD
- 2025-02-21 - Last updated in NVD database
Technical Details for CVE-2024-4916
Vulnerability Analysis
The vulnerability is classified under CWE-89: Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an SQL Command. The selExamAttemptExe.php script accepts a user-supplied thisId parameter and concatenates it into a SQL query executed against the backend database. Because the application does not use parameterized queries or input validation, attacker-controlled SQL syntax is interpreted by the database engine.
Successful exploitation can result in unauthorized data retrieval, modification of examination records, or enumeration of database schema. The attack vector is network-based and requires low privileges, consistent with the authenticated user role typical of examination portals.
Root Cause
The root cause is unsafe handling of HTTP request input. The thisId argument is incorporated into a database query without prepared statements or proper escaping. PHP applications using direct string concatenation with mysqli_query or equivalent functions remain a common source of this class of flaw.
Attack Vector
An authenticated attacker submits a crafted HTTP request to selExamAttemptExe.php with a malicious thisId value. The payload typically uses UNION-based or boolean-based SQL injection techniques to extract data from arbitrary tables. Public proof-of-concept material is available in the GitHub PoC Repository, which documents the request structure and payloads against the vulnerable endpoint.
No verified exploit code is reproduced here. Refer to the VulDB entry for CVE-2024-4916 for additional technical context.
Detection Methods for CVE-2024-4916
Indicators of Compromise
- HTTP requests to selExamAttemptExe.php containing SQL meta-characters in the thisId parameter, such as single quotes, UNION, SELECT, --, or /* sequences.
- Database error messages referencing selExamAttemptExe.php in web server or application logs.
- Unexpected SELECT queries against authentication, user, or grade tables originating from the examination web application.
Detection Strategies
- Deploy web application firewall (WAF) signatures targeting SQL injection patterns on the thisId query parameter.
- Review web server access logs for anomalous URL-encoded payloads against selExamAttemptExe.php.
- Correlate database audit logs with HTTP request logs to identify queries that deviate from the application's normal query templates.
Monitoring Recommendations
- Enable verbose database query logging on systems hosting Campcodes Online Examination System and forward to a centralized SIEM.
- Alert on repeated 500-series HTTP responses from selExamAttemptExe.php, which often indicate injection attempts triggering SQL errors.
- Monitor for outbound data transfers from the database host that exceed baseline volumes following suspicious requests.
How to Mitigate CVE-2024-4916
Immediate Actions Required
- Restrict network access to the examination application using IP allow-lists or VPN gateways until a remediation is applied.
- Disable or remove the vulnerable selExamAttemptExe.php endpoint if it is not in active use.
- Rotate database credentials and review database accounts used by the application for excessive privileges.
Patch Information
No official vendor advisory or patch has been published for Campcodes Online Examination System 1.0 at the time of NVD publication. Operators should monitor the Campcodes website for updates and consider migrating to a maintained alternative if no fix becomes available.
Workarounds
- Implement parameterized queries or prepared statements in selExamAttemptExe.php by replacing string concatenation with mysqli prepared statements or PDO bound parameters.
- Apply server-side input validation that restricts the thisId parameter to expected formats, such as numeric values only.
- Deploy a WAF rule blocking SQL meta-characters on the affected endpoint as a compensating control.
# Example ModSecurity rule blocking SQL injection patterns on the vulnerable endpoint
SecRule REQUEST_URI "@contains selExamAttemptExe.php" \
"id:1004916,phase:2,deny,status:403,\
chain,msg:'CVE-2024-4916 SQL Injection attempt blocked'"
SecRule ARGS:thisId "@detectSQLi" "t:none,t:urlDecodeUni"
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
