CVE-2024-6214 Overview
CVE-2024-6214 is a SQL injection vulnerability in SourceCodester Food Ordering Management System 1.0. The flaw resides in the add-item.php file, where the price parameter is passed directly into a SQL query without proper sanitization. An authenticated remote attacker can manipulate this parameter to inject arbitrary SQL statements. The exploit has been publicly disclosed and is tracked as VulDB entry #269278.
Critical Impact
Remote attackers with low-privilege access can inject SQL statements through the price parameter in add-item.php, potentially exposing or manipulating backend database contents.
Affected Products
- Oretnom23 Food Ordering Management System 1.0
- SourceCodester Food Ordering Management System (distributed variant)
- CPE: cpe:2.3:a:oretnom23:food_ordering_management_system:1.0
Discovery Timeline
- 2024-06-21 - CVE-2024-6214 published to NVD
- 2026-06-17 - Last updated in NVD database
Technical Details for CVE-2024-6214
Vulnerability Analysis
The vulnerability is a classic SQL injection flaw [CWE-89] in the item management functionality of the Food Ordering Management System. The add-item.php script accepts a price parameter via HTTP request and concatenates it directly into a SQL query executed against the backend database. Because the parameter lacks input validation and parameterization, an attacker can supply crafted SQL fragments that alter the query's logic.
Successful exploitation allows an attacker to read arbitrary rows from the database, modify records, or extract authentication data associated with the ordering application. The attack requires network access to the web application and low-privilege authentication to reach the add-item.php endpoint.
Root Cause
The root cause is improper neutralization of special elements used in a SQL command. The price parameter is treated as trusted numeric input and concatenated into a query string rather than bound as a parameterized value. This design pattern is common in legacy PHP applications lacking prepared statements.
Attack Vector
The attack vector is network-based over HTTP or HTTPS. An attacker submits a crafted request to add-item.php with a malicious price value containing SQL syntax. No user interaction is required beyond the attacker's own request, and the exploit can be initiated remotely from any host that can reach the web application.
The vulnerability is described in the GitHub Exploit Documentation and cataloged in the VulDB entry #269278.
Detection Methods for CVE-2024-6214
Indicators of Compromise
- HTTP POST requests to add-item.php containing SQL metacharacters such as single quotes, UNION, SELECT, --, or OR 1=1 in the price field.
- Unexpected database errors or verbose SQL error messages returned by the application.
- Web server access logs showing repeated requests to add-item.php from a single source with varying payload lengths.
Detection Strategies
- Deploy Web Application Firewall (WAF) rules that inspect POST bodies for SQL injection signatures targeting numeric parameters.
- Enable database query logging and alert on queries containing tautologies or UNION SELECT statements originating from the application user.
- Correlate authentication events with subsequent requests to add-item.php to identify anomalous session behavior.
Monitoring Recommendations
- Monitor web server logs for HTTP 500 responses from add-item.php, which often indicate failed injection attempts.
- Track outbound database connection patterns for unexpected bulk data reads following item creation requests.
- Baseline normal price parameter values (numeric only) and alert on any non-numeric content.
How to Mitigate CVE-2024-6214
Immediate Actions Required
- Restrict network access to the Food Ordering Management System administrative interface using IP allowlisting or VPN gating.
- Rotate database credentials used by the application and audit for any unauthorized data access.
- Deploy a WAF rule set that blocks SQL injection patterns targeting the price parameter in add-item.php.
Patch Information
No official vendor patch is listed in the NVD or VulDB references for this vulnerability. Organizations running SourceCodester Food Ordering Management System 1.0 should evaluate migrating to a maintained alternative or apply source-level fixes to add-item.php by replacing string concatenation with parameterized queries (PDO::prepare or mysqli_prepare). Refer to VulDB submission #359582 for additional context.
Workarounds
- Implement server-side input validation on the price field to enforce strict numeric-only values before database interaction.
- Configure the database account used by the application with least-privilege permissions, denying DROP, ALTER, and cross-table SELECT where possible.
- Place the application behind a reverse proxy with SQL injection filtering until a code-level fix is applied.
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
