CVE-2026-114263: Advanced Library Management System SQLi

CVE-2026-114263 is a SQL injection vulnerability in ProjectWorlds Advanced Library Management System 1.0 affecting the mysqli_query function. Attackers can remotely exploit this flaw to manipulate databases. This article covers technical details, affected versions, impact assessment, and mitigation strategies.

CVE-2026-114263 Overview

CVE-2026-114263 is a SQL injection vulnerability in ProjectWorlds Advanced Library Management System 1.0. The flaw resides in the mysqli_query call within individual_report_search.php, where the roll_number parameter is incorporated into a query without proper sanitization. Remote attackers can manipulate the parameter to inject arbitrary SQL statements against the backend database. The vulnerability is classified under [CWE-74] (Improper Neutralization of Special Elements in Output Used by a Downstream Component). A public exploit is referenced in VulDB, increasing the likelihood of opportunistic abuse against exposed deployments.

Critical Impact
Unauthenticated remote attackers can inject SQL statements through the roll_number parameter, potentially exposing library records and user data stored in the backend database.

Affected Products

ProjectWorlds Advanced Library Management System 1.0
Deployments using the vulnerable individual_report_search.php endpoint
Installations exposing the application to untrusted networks

Discovery Timeline

2026-10-21 - CVE-2026-114263 published to NVD
2026-10-21 - Last updated in NVD database

Technical Details for CVE-2026-114263

Vulnerability Analysis

The vulnerability affects the search workflow handled by individual_report_search.php. The script passes the user-supplied roll_number HTTP parameter directly into a mysqli_query call without parameterization or input validation. Attackers can break out of the intended query context and append arbitrary SQL clauses. Because the endpoint is reachable without authentication, exploitation requires only network access to the vulnerable application.

Successful injection can disclose database contents such as borrower records, book inventory, and administrative identifiers. Depending on database privileges, attackers may chain the flaw with UNION-based reads or boolean-based blind extraction to enumerate schema data. The vulnerability sits in a reporting feature, so the response surface is suitable for in-band data exfiltration.

Root Cause

The root cause is string concatenation of untrusted input into a SQL statement executed by mysqli_query. The application does not use prepared statements or bind variables for the roll_number argument. No type coercion or allowlist validation is applied before query construction, which maps directly to [CWE-74].

Attack Vector

The attack is executed over the network against the individual_report_search.php endpoint. An attacker submits a crafted value for the roll_number parameter containing SQL metacharacters such as quotes, comments, or UNION SELECT clauses. The server executes the manipulated query and returns results or error output usable for data extraction. No authentication or user interaction is required.

See the VulDB entry for CVE-2026-114263 and the project repository reference for additional technical context.

Detection Methods for CVE-2026-114263

Indicators of Compromise

HTTP requests to individual_report_search.php containing SQL metacharacters such as ', --, /*, UNION, or SLEEP( in the roll_number parameter.
Web server logs showing abnormally long or URL-encoded values for roll_number.
Database error messages referencing mysqli_query returned to clients during search operations.

Detection Strategies

Deploy web application firewall rules that inspect roll_number for SQL syntax tokens and block anomalous payloads.
Enable MySQL general query logging and alert on queries originating from the library application that contain UNION, INFORMATION_SCHEMA, or stacked statements.
Correlate HTTP 500 responses from individual_report_search.php with repeated parameter mutations from the same source IP.

Monitoring Recommendations

Monitor outbound data volume from the database server for spikes consistent with mass record extraction.
Track unique source IPs issuing GET or POST requests to the reporting endpoint and rate-limit abusive clients.
Review authentication-free endpoints exposed by the application and alert on new access patterns.

How to Mitigate CVE-2026-114263

Immediate Actions Required

Restrict access to individual_report_search.php using network ACLs or authentication until a code fix is applied.
Deploy WAF signatures that block SQL injection payloads targeting the roll_number parameter.
Audit database accounts used by the application and remove unnecessary privileges such as FILE or SUPER.

Patch Information

No vendor patch has been published for ProjectWorlds Advanced Library Management System 1.0 at the time of CVE publication. Operators should refactor individual_report_search.php to use mysqli_prepare with bound parameters and validate roll_number as a numeric or allowlisted string before query execution. Monitor the VulDB advisory for updates on vendor remediation.

Workarounds

Replace the vulnerable mysqli_query call with prepared statements that bind roll_number as a typed parameter.
Enforce server-side input validation that rejects any roll_number value containing non-alphanumeric characters.
Place the application behind an authenticated reverse proxy to prevent unauthenticated network reach.

bash

# Example Apache rule to block SQL metacharacters in roll_number
RewriteEngine On
RewriteCond %{QUERY_STRING} (?:%27|'|--|/\*|union\s+select) [NC]
RewriteRule ^/individual_report_search\.php - [F,L]