CVE-2024-7934: Project Expense Monitoring System SQLi Flaw

CVE-2024-7934 Overview

CVE-2024-7934 is a SQL injection vulnerability in itsourcecode Project Expense Monitoring System 1.0. The flaw resides in the execute.php file, where the code parameter is passed directly into a database query without proper sanitization. An authenticated remote attacker can manipulate the code argument to inject arbitrary SQL statements. The exploit has been publicly disclosed, increasing the likelihood of opportunistic attacks against exposed installations. The vulnerability is categorized under [CWE-89] Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an SQL Command.

Critical Impact

Remote attackers with low-privilege access can manipulate database queries through the code parameter in execute.php, leading to unauthorized data access, modification, or disclosure.

Affected Products

• itsourcecode Project Expense Monitoring System 1.0
• execute.php endpoint processing the code parameter
• Deployments exposing the application to untrusted networks

Discovery Timeline

• 2024-08-19 - CVE-2024-7934 published to NVD
• 2024-08-23 - Last updated in NVD database

Technical Details for CVE-2024-7934

Vulnerability Analysis

The vulnerability exists in execute.php, a server-side PHP component of the Project Expense Monitoring System. The script consumes a user-controlled code parameter and embeds it directly in a SQL query. Because input is not parameterized or escaped, attackers can break out of the intended query context and append additional SQL statements.

Successful exploitation enables attackers to read arbitrary database contents, alter records, or enumerate the underlying schema. The attack requires network access and low-level authentication, but no user interaction. According to the disclosure, the exploit is publicly available, which lowers the barrier for unsophisticated threat actors.

Root Cause

The root cause is missing input validation and the absence of prepared statements when the code parameter is concatenated into a SQL query. This pattern is a textbook [CWE-89] flaw. PHP applications that rely on raw string interpolation with mysqli_query or similar APIs are particularly susceptible.

Attack Vector

The attack vector is network-based against the HTTP interface exposing execute.php. An attacker submits a crafted request with a malicious payload in the code parameter. Because authentication is required at a low privilege level, any compromised or self-registered account suffices. See the public disclosure on GitHub and the VulDB entry #275119 for additional context on the injection point.

Detection Methods for CVE-2024-7934

Indicators of Compromise

• HTTP requests to execute.php containing SQL metacharacters in the code parameter such as ', --, UNION SELECT, or OR 1=1.
• Unexpected database errors logged by the PHP application following requests to execute.php.
• Outbound database queries returning unusually large result sets tied to the expense monitoring user account.

Detection Strategies

• Deploy web application firewall (WAF) signatures that flag SQL injection patterns targeting the code query string.
• Enable PHP and database query logging to correlate request payloads with anomalous SQL execution.
• Review access logs for repeated requests to execute.php from a single source, especially with encoded payloads.

Monitoring Recommendations

• Monitor authentication logs for newly created accounts immediately followed by activity against execute.php.
• Alert on SQL errors surfaced in HTTP responses, which often indicate injection probing.
• Track database read volume per application user and trigger alerts when baselines are exceeded.

How to Mitigate CVE-2024-7934

Immediate Actions Required

• Restrict network access to the Project Expense Monitoring System until a vendor patch is available.
• Disable or firewall the execute.php endpoint if it is not required for daily operations.
• Audit application accounts and revoke credentials that are unused or overly privileged.

Patch Information

At the time of publication, no vendor advisory or official patch has been listed for itsourcecode Project Expense Monitoring System 1.0. Administrators should monitor the VulDB record for updates and contact the vendor directly. Until a fix is released, operators must apply compensating controls.

Workarounds

• Place the application behind a WAF configured with OWASP Core Rule Set signatures for SQL injection.
• Modify execute.php to use parameterized queries or prepared statements with bound parameters for the code value.
• Apply input allowlisting on the code parameter to permit only expected character sets, such as alphanumerics.
• Run the database account used by the application with least privilege, removing DROP, ALTER, and write permissions where possible.

# Example WAF rule (ModSecurity) to block SQL metacharacters in the code parameter
SecRule ARGS:code "@rx (?i)(\b(union|select|insert|update|delete|drop)\b|--|;|')" \
    "id:1007934,phase:2,deny,status:403,msg:'CVE-2024-7934 SQLi attempt on execute.php'"