CVE-2024-5101 Overview
CVE-2024-5101 is a SQL injection vulnerability in SourceCodester Simple Inventory System 1.0, developed by Argie. The flaw resides in updateproduct.php, where the ITEM parameter is passed to a database query without proper sanitization. Attackers can manipulate the ITEM argument to inject arbitrary SQL statements and interact directly with the backend database. The vulnerability is remotely exploitable over the network and requires low-privilege authentication. Public disclosure of the exploit has already occurred, tracked in VulDB as VDB-265084 [CWE-89].
Critical Impact
Authenticated remote attackers can inject SQL through the ITEM parameter of updateproduct.php, exposing inventory data and enabling unauthorized modification.
Affected Products
- Argie Simple Inventory System 1.0
- SourceCodester Simple Inventory System (distribution channel)
- Deployments exposing updateproduct.php to untrusted networks
Discovery Timeline
- 2024-05-19 - CVE-2024-5101 published to NVD
- 2026-06-17 - Last updated in NVD database
Technical Details for CVE-2024-5101
Vulnerability Analysis
The vulnerability is a classic SQL injection flaw in the product update workflow of Simple Inventory System 1.0. The updateproduct.php script accepts user-supplied input through the ITEM argument and concatenates it into a SQL statement executed against the inventory database. Because the application does not use prepared statements or input validation, an attacker can break out of the intended query context and append malicious SQL fragments. Successful exploitation allows extraction, modification, or deletion of inventory records. The impact is bounded by the application's database privileges but includes confidentiality, integrity, and availability effects on stored data.
Root Cause
The root cause is improper neutralization of special elements used in a SQL command [CWE-89]. The application interpolates the ITEM value directly into the query string, trusting client-supplied data. No parameterized queries, escaping routines, or allowlist validation guard the vulnerable code path in updateproduct.php.
Attack Vector
An attacker authenticates to the application with a low-privilege account and submits a crafted request to updateproduct.php containing SQL syntax within the ITEM parameter. The injected payload alters the resulting query, allowing the attacker to read arbitrary tables, tamper with product records, or issue destructive statements. A public proof-of-concept describing the exploitation steps is available in the GitHub CVE PoC Repository.
No verified exploit code is reproduced here. Refer to the VulDB #265084 Details advisory for the technical breakdown of the injection point and payload structure.
Detection Methods for CVE-2024-5101
Indicators of Compromise
- HTTP requests to updateproduct.php containing SQL metacharacters such as ', --, UNION, SELECT, or SLEEP( in the ITEM parameter.
- Unexpected changes, insertions, or deletions in product inventory tables outside of normal business workflows.
- Database error messages returned to the client, indicating query parsing failures triggered by injected syntax.
Detection Strategies
- Deploy a web application firewall ruleset that inspects ITEM parameter values for SQL injection patterns and logs anomalies.
- Enable verbose database query logging and alert on queries referencing inventory tables that contain concatenated user input.
- Correlate authentication events with updateproduct.php requests to identify low-privilege accounts issuing high volumes of update requests.
Monitoring Recommendations
- Forward web server access logs and database audit logs to a centralized analytics platform for retention and correlation.
- Baseline normal updateproduct.php request volumes and alert on statistical deviations that may indicate scripted exploitation.
- Monitor outbound network traffic from the application host for signs of data exfiltration following suspicious update requests.
How to Mitigate CVE-2024-5101
Immediate Actions Required
- Restrict network access to the Simple Inventory System interface until a fix is applied, using firewall rules or VPN gating.
- Rotate database credentials used by the application and enforce least-privilege permissions on the inventory database account.
- Audit inventory tables and application accounts for signs of tampering that predate mitigation.
Patch Information
No vendor patch has been published for Argie Simple Inventory System 1.0 in the referenced advisories. Operators should track updates on the VulDB #265084 Context page and the VulDB Submission #337059 record for remediation status.
Workarounds
- Modify updateproduct.php to use parameterized queries or prepared statements when handling the ITEM argument.
- Add server-side input validation that enforces the expected data type and length for ITEM before it reaches the database layer.
- Place the application behind a web application firewall with SQL injection signatures enabled while a code fix is developed.
# Example WAF rule (ModSecurity) blocking SQL metacharacters in the ITEM parameter
SecRule ARGS:ITEM "@rx (?i)(union|select|insert|update|delete|--|;|')" \
"id:1005101,phase:2,deny,status:403,log,msg:'CVE-2024-5101 SQLi attempt on updateproduct.php'"
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
