CVE-2026-105182 Overview
CVE-2026-105182 is a SQL injection vulnerability in SourceCodester Online Reviewer Management System 1.0. The flaw resides in the /reviewer_0/admins/assessments/activities/btn_functions.php endpoint when invoked with the action=update parameter. Attackers can manipulate the Title argument to inject arbitrary SQL statements against the backend database. The attack is remotely exploitable over the network and requires no user interaction. A public exploit has been released, increasing the likelihood of opportunistic attacks against exposed deployments. The weakness is tracked under [CWE-74] (Improper Neutralization of Special Elements in Output Used by a Downstream Component).
Critical Impact
Remote attackers can inject SQL statements through the Title parameter to read, modify, or delete database records in the reviewer management system.
Affected Products
- SourceCodester Online Reviewer Management System 1.0
- Deployments exposing /reviewer_0/admins/assessments/activities/btn_functions.php
- Downstream forks and derivatives bundling the vulnerable PHP source
Discovery Timeline
- 2026-10-05 - CVE-2026-105182 published to NVD
- 2026-10-06 - Last updated in NVD database
Technical Details for CVE-2026-105182
Vulnerability Analysis
The vulnerability is a SQL injection in the administrative assessment activity handler of the Online Reviewer Management System. The btn_functions.php script processes an update action and incorporates the Title argument into a SQL statement without proper sanitization or parameterization. Because the endpoint is reachable over the network and requires no privileges or user interaction per the CVSS vector, an unauthenticated attacker can submit a crafted HTTP request and influence database queries. Public disclosure of exploit details raises the practical risk for internet-exposed instances.
Root Cause
The root cause is improper neutralization of user-controlled input within a server-side query. The Title parameter supplied to the action=update branch is concatenated directly into a SQL statement, violating safe query construction practices. Prepared statements with bound parameters, or strict input validation and output encoding, would prevent the attacker-controlled string from altering query syntax.
Attack Vector
An attacker sends a crafted HTTP request to /reviewer_0/admins/assessments/activities/btn_functions.php?action=update with a malicious Title value. The injected payload modifies the resulting SQL to perform operations such as UNION-based data extraction, boolean- or time-based blind inference, or destructive statements that alter and delete records. No authentication is required under the published advisory. Refer to the GitHub CVE Issue Tracker and VulDB CVE-2026-105182 entries for additional technical references.
Detection Methods for CVE-2026-105182
Indicators of Compromise
- HTTP requests to /reviewer_0/admins/assessments/activities/btn_functions.php containing action=update with suspicious Title payloads such as single quotes, UNION SELECT, SLEEP(, --, or /* sequences.
- Web server access logs showing repeated requests from a single source enumerating the Title parameter with varying payload lengths.
- Database error messages or unexpected 500 responses correlated with the vulnerable endpoint.
Detection Strategies
- Deploy web application firewall (WAF) rules that inspect query strings for the vulnerable path and flag SQL metacharacters in the Title field.
- Enable verbose logging on the PHP application and the backing database to capture malformed queries targeting the assessments activities handler.
- Correlate web and database logs to identify time-based blind injection patterns, including requests that produce response delays aligned with SLEEP() values.
Monitoring Recommendations
- Monitor outbound data flows from the application server for abnormal volumes that could indicate bulk record exfiltration.
- Alert on new administrative accounts, modified assessment records, or deleted rows that lack a matching legitimate workflow.
- Track reconnaissance activity against /reviewer_0/admins/* paths from unauthenticated sources.
How to Mitigate CVE-2026-105182
Immediate Actions Required
- Restrict public access to the /reviewer_0/admins/ administrative interface using network ACLs, VPN, or IP allow-listing.
- Audit the btn_functions.php script and refactor the update branch to use parameterized queries or prepared statements.
- Review database and application logs for prior exploitation attempts referencing the Title parameter.
Patch Information
No official vendor patch has been published for SourceCodester Online Reviewer Management System 1.0 at the time of writing. Operators should apply code-level fixes to enforce prepared statements and validate all user input. Consult the VulDB Vulnerability #413419 entry and the SourceCodester Security Resources for updates.
Workarounds
- Place a WAF in front of the application and block requests to the vulnerable endpoint that contain SQL metacharacters in the Title parameter.
- Enforce least-privilege database accounts so that the web application cannot execute destructive statements such as DROP or TRUNCATE.
- Disable or remove the vulnerable endpoint if the update action is not required in production.
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
