CVE-2024-5588: Learning Management System SQLi Vulnerability

CVE-2024-5588 Overview

CVE-2024-5588 is a SQL injection vulnerability in itsourcecode Learning Management System 1.0. The flaw resides in the processscore.php file, where the LessonID parameter is passed to a database query without proper sanitization. Attackers can manipulate this parameter remotely to inject arbitrary SQL statements. The exploit has been publicly disclosed under identifier VDB-266839, increasing the risk of opportunistic scanning and abuse. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-89, Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an SQL Command.

Critical Impact
Remote authenticated attackers can inject SQL through the LessonID parameter in processscore.php, exposing stored learner data, credentials, and grade records to unauthorized read or modification.

Affected Products

itsourcecode Learning Management System 1.0
Deployments using the vulnerable processscore.php endpoint
Any downstream fork that reuses the unsanitized LessonID query logic

Discovery Timeline

2024-06-02 - CVE-2024-5588 published to NVD
2026-06-17 - Last updated in NVD database

Technical Details for CVE-2024-5588

Vulnerability Analysis

The vulnerability is a SQL injection flaw (CWE-89) affecting the score-processing workflow of the Learning Management System. The processscore.php script consumes the LessonID parameter directly from user input and concatenates it into a SQL query executed against the backend database. Because the parameter lacks type enforcement, allowlist validation, or prepared-statement binding, attackers can append arbitrary SQL clauses. The EPSS probability is 0.614% with a percentile of 46.19, reflecting moderate near-term exploitation likelihood given the public disclosure. Successful exploitation allows attackers to enumerate database schemas, extract user credentials, and tamper with student grade records.

Root Cause

The root cause is direct concatenation of the LessonID request parameter into a SQL statement inside processscore.php. The application does not use parameterized queries or a prepared-statement API. It also fails to cast LessonID to an integer or apply escaping through database-aware routines. This design pattern turns any request containing LessonID into a SQL execution primitive.

Attack Vector

The attack is delivered over the network against the LMS web interface. An authenticated attacker with low privileges submits a crafted request to processscore.php containing SQL metacharacters in the LessonID parameter. The injected payload is executed by the database server in the security context of the LMS database user. No user interaction is required. Refer to the GitHub Issue Discussion and VulDB #266839 for the disclosed proof-of-concept parameters.

The vulnerability manifests when the LessonID value is passed unfiltered into a SELECT or UPDATE statement handling lesson scores. Union-based, boolean-based, and time-based blind injection variants are all viable against the endpoint. See the referenced advisory entries for exploitation specifics.

Detection Methods for CVE-2024-5588

Indicators of Compromise

HTTP requests to processscore.php containing SQL metacharacters such as ', --, UNION SELECT, or SLEEP( in the LessonID parameter.
Database error messages or stack traces referencing LessonID returned in HTTP responses.
Unusual query execution times against the LMS database correlated with requests to processscore.php.
Unexpected read access to authentication or user tables originating from the LMS application account.

Detection Strategies

Deploy web application firewall rules that flag SQL syntax tokens in the LessonID parameter of processscore.php.
Enable database query logging and alert on UNION, SLEEP, or INFORMATION_SCHEMA references from the LMS service account.
Baseline normal request patterns to processscore.php and alert on deviations in parameter length or character distribution.

Monitoring Recommendations

Forward web server access logs to a centralized analytics platform and hunt for encoded SQL payloads targeting LessonID.
Monitor the LMS database for authentication table reads and schema enumeration queries.
Track outbound connections from the LMS host that could indicate data exfiltration following successful injection.

How to Mitigate CVE-2024-5588

Immediate Actions Required

Restrict network exposure of the LMS to trusted networks or place it behind a WAF with SQL injection signatures enabled.
Rotate database credentials used by the LMS application and audit recent activity in learner, user, and grade tables.
Enforce integer validation on the LessonID parameter at the reverse proxy or WAF layer until the underlying code is fixed.

Patch Information

No vendor patch has been published in the referenced advisories. Consult the VulDB CTI Event #266839 and VulDB Submission #347576 entries for status updates. Operators should modify processscore.php to use prepared statements with bound parameters and cast LessonID to an integer before use.

Workarounds

Filter requests to processscore.php and reject any LessonID value that is not a positive integer.
Apply least-privilege permissions to the LMS database account so it cannot read authentication tables or write outside the scoring schema.
Disable verbose SQL error messages in production to reduce information leakage that assists blind injection.

bash

# Example nginx location block enforcing integer-only LessonID values
location = /processscore.php {
    if ($arg_LessonID !~ "^[0-9]+$") {
        return 400;
    }
    include fastcgi_params;
    fastcgi_pass unix:/run/php/php-fpm.sock;
}