CVE-2024-6008: Online Book Store PHP SQL Injection Flaw

CVE-2024-6008 Overview

CVE-2024-6008 is a SQL injection vulnerability in itsourcecode Online Book Store version 1.0. The flaw resides in the /edit_book.php script, where the image argument is passed to a database query without proper sanitization. Attackers can exploit the vulnerability remotely with low-privilege authentication and no user interaction. The exploit details have been publicly disclosed, increasing the likelihood of opportunistic attacks against exposed installations. The vulnerability is tracked as VulDB identifier VDB-268698 and maps to CWE-89 (Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an SQL Command).

Critical Impact
Authenticated remote attackers can inject arbitrary SQL statements through the image parameter of edit_book.php, potentially exposing or modifying data stored in the bookstore database.

Affected Products

itsourcecode Online Book Store 1.0
Deployments using the edit_book.php administrative endpoint
PHP/MySQL installations of the Online Book Store Project source code

Discovery Timeline

2024-06-15 - CVE-2024-6008 published to NVD
2026-06-17 - Last updated in NVD database

Technical Details for CVE-2024-6008

Vulnerability Analysis

The vulnerability exists in the edit_book.php file of the Online Book Store application. The image parameter accepted by this endpoint is concatenated into a SQL query without parameterization or input validation. An attacker submitting crafted input through this parameter can alter the structure of the underlying query. Successful exploitation can lead to unauthorized reading of book, user, or administrator records, and in some database configurations, modification of stored data. The endpoint is reachable over the network and requires only low privileges, which typically corresponds to any authenticated administrative session in the bookstore.

Root Cause

The root cause is improper neutralization of special elements in SQL commands [CWE-89]. The edit_book.php script builds its SQL statement by directly interpolating the user-controlled image argument into the query string. The absence of prepared statements or parameterized queries allows attacker-supplied SQL syntax to be executed by the database engine.

Attack Vector

Exploitation requires network access to the application and a valid session with low-level privileges. An attacker sends an HTTP request to /edit_book.php containing a manipulated image parameter. Because the exploit has been publicly disclosed, automated scanners and opportunistic attackers can weaponize the flaw against internet-exposed instances. No verified proof-of-concept code has been validated by SentinelLabs for inclusion here. See the GitHub Issue Tracker and VulDB #268698 for the public disclosure details.

Detection Methods for CVE-2024-6008

Indicators of Compromise

HTTP POST or GET requests to /edit_book.php containing SQL metacharacters such as single quotes, UNION, SELECT, --, or OR 1=1 in the image parameter.
Unexpected database errors emitted by the application after requests to edit_book.php.
Web server access logs showing repeated requests to edit_book.php from a single source with varying image parameter payloads.

Detection Strategies

Deploy web application firewall rules that inspect the image parameter of edit_book.php for SQL injection signatures.
Enable database query logging and alert on anomalous query patterns originating from the bookstore application user.
Correlate application error logs with corresponding web request logs to surface probing attempts.

Monitoring Recommendations

Monitor authentication events for the bookstore administrative interface to detect credential abuse that could precede exploitation.
Track outbound connections from the database host, which can indicate post-exploitation data exfiltration.
Baseline normal request volumes to edit_book.php and alert on statistically significant deviations.

How to Mitigate CVE-2024-6008

Immediate Actions Required

Restrict network access to the bookstore administrative interface using IP allow-listing or VPN gating.
Rotate credentials for all administrative accounts capable of reaching edit_book.php.
Review database and web server logs for prior exploitation attempts against the image parameter.

Patch Information

No vendor patch has been published for itsourcecode Online Book Store 1.0 in the referenced advisories. Operators should evaluate whether continued use of this application is acceptable given the public disclosure and lack of an upstream fix. Where source code modification is feasible, replace the vulnerable query in edit_book.php with a parameterized statement using PDO or mysqli prepared statements, and enforce server-side validation of the image argument.

Workarounds

Apply a web application firewall rule that blocks SQL metacharacters in the image parameter of edit_book.php.
Remove or disable the edit_book.php endpoint if book editing is not required in production.
Enforce least privilege on the database account used by the application, revoking write access where possible and denying access to unrelated schemas.

bash

# Example ModSecurity rule blocking SQLi patterns on edit_book.php
SecRule REQUEST_URI "@endsWith /edit_book.php" \
  "chain,phase:2,deny,status:403,id:1006008,log,msg:'CVE-2024-6008 SQLi attempt'"
  SecRule ARGS:image "@rx (?i)(union(\s|/\*.*\*/)+select|or\s+1=1|--|;|/\*|\bselect\b.+\bfrom\b)" \
    "t:none,t:urlDecodeUni"