CVE-2024-4928: Simple Online Bidding System SQLi Flaw

CVE-2024-4928 Overview

CVE-2024-4928 is a SQL injection vulnerability in SourceCodester Simple Online Bidding System 1.0. The flaw resides in the /simple-online-bidding-system/admin/ajax.php?action=delete_category endpoint. Attackers can manipulate the id parameter to inject arbitrary SQL statements into the backend database query. The vulnerability is exploitable remotely over the network and requires only low-level privileges. Public exploit details have been disclosed under VulDB identifier VDB-264464, increasing the likelihood of opportunistic exploitation against unpatched deployments. The weakness is categorized under [CWE-89] (Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an SQL Command).

Critical Impact

Authenticated attackers can manipulate the id parameter in the delete_category action to execute arbitrary SQL, leading to data disclosure, modification, or deletion in the underlying database.

Affected Products

• Oretnom23 (SourceCodester) Simple Online Bidding System 1.0
• Deployments using the admin/ajax.php administrative endpoint
• Installations exposing the delete_category action over the network

Discovery Timeline

• 2024-05-16 - CVE-2024-4928 published to NVD
• 2024-12-09 - Last updated in NVD database

Technical Details for CVE-2024-4928

Vulnerability Analysis

The vulnerability stems from improper neutralization of user-supplied input in the administrative AJAX handler. When a request targets admin/ajax.php?action=delete_category, the application passes the id argument directly into a SQL query without parameterization or sanitization. An attacker who can reach the admin endpoint can append SQL syntax to the id value, altering the structure of the executed statement. Because the injection occurs inside a DELETE workflow, attackers can leverage stacked queries, UNION-based extraction, or boolean and time-based blind techniques depending on database configuration. Successful exploitation compromises the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of bidding records, user accounts, and category data. The EPSS score is approximately 0.111%, but public proof-of-concept material elevates real-world risk for exposed instances.

Root Cause

The root cause is the direct concatenation of the id HTTP parameter into a SQL statement within the delete_category action handler. The application does not use prepared statements, parameter binding, or strict type validation. Standard mitigations such as intval() casting or PDO-bound parameters are absent.

Attack Vector

The attack vector is network-based and targets the administrative ajax.php endpoint. An authenticated user with access to the admin panel issues a crafted GET or POST request where the id parameter contains SQL metacharacters. Since the system is intended for internet-facing deployment, the endpoint is typically reachable without additional network controls. Public proof-of-concept material is documented in the GitHub PoC Repository and the VulDB Analysis #264464. Refer to these sources for the exact payload structure and reproduction steps.

Detection Methods for CVE-2024-4928

Indicators of Compromise

• Web server access logs containing requests to /simple-online-bidding-system/admin/ajax.php?action=delete_category with SQL metacharacters such as single quotes, UNION, SLEEP, or -- in the id parameter
• Unexpected DELETE operations or anomalous SELECT patterns in database query logs originating from the application user
• Authenticated admin sessions issuing high volumes of delete_category requests within short intervals
• Application errors referencing SQL syntax exceptions tied to the id parameter

Detection Strategies

• Deploy web application firewall (WAF) signatures that inspect the id parameter on the ajax.php endpoint for SQL injection patterns
• Enable database query logging and alert on queries against the categories table that contain inline conditionals or stacked statements
• Correlate admin authentication events with subsequent delete_category requests to identify abuse of legitimate credentials

Monitoring Recommendations

• Forward web server, application, and database logs to a centralized analytics platform for cross-source correlation
• Baseline normal administrative behavior for the bidding system and alert on deviations such as bursts of category deletion attempts
• Monitor outbound database connections and response sizes that may indicate UNION-based data exfiltration

How to Mitigate CVE-2024-4928

Immediate Actions Required

• Restrict network access to the /admin/ path of the Simple Online Bidding System using IP allowlists, VPN, or reverse-proxy authentication
• Rotate administrator credentials and audit recent admin activity for signs of SQL injection attempts
• Deploy WAF rules that block SQL metacharacters in the id parameter of the delete_category action
• Review database contents for unauthorized modifications to user, bid, and category tables

Patch Information

No vendor advisory or official patch is listed in the references for CVE-2024-4928. Organizations running Simple Online Bidding System 1.0 should monitor the SourceCodester project page for updates and consider migrating to a maintained bidding platform. Until a fix is published, treat the application as vulnerable and apply compensating controls.

Workarounds

• Modify the delete_category handler in admin/ajax.php to cast the id parameter with intval() or bind it through a prepared statement before query execution
• Disable or remove the delete_category action if category deletion is not required in your deployment
• Place the application behind a reverse proxy that enforces authentication, rate limiting, and input inspection

# Configuration example: ModSecurity rule to block SQLi on the affected endpoint
SecRule REQUEST_URI "@contains /simple-online-bidding-system/admin/ajax.php" \
  "chain,id:1004928,phase:2,deny,status:403,msg:'CVE-2024-4928 SQLi attempt on delete_category'"
  SecRule ARGS:action "@streq delete_category" \
    "chain"
    SecRule ARGS:id "@detectSQLi" "t:none,t:urlDecodeUni"