CVE-2026-11485: Class Timetabling System SQLi Flaw

CVE-2026-11485 Overview

CVE-2026-11485 is a SQL injection vulnerability in SourceCodester Class and Exam Timetabling System 1.0. The flaw resides in the /archive2.php script, where the sy parameter is incorporated into a database query without proper sanitization. Attackers can manipulate this argument to alter the underlying SQL statement and access or modify backend data.

The vulnerability is exploitable remotely over the network and does not require authentication or user interaction. The exploit has been publicly disclosed, increasing the likelihood of opportunistic abuse against exposed deployments. The weakness is classified under CWE-74 (Improper Neutralization of Special Elements in Output Used by a Downstream Component).

Critical Impact
Unauthenticated remote attackers can inject arbitrary SQL through the sy parameter of /archive2.php, leading to disclosure or tampering of database contents.

Affected Products

SourceCodester Class and Exam Timetabling System 1.0
/archive2.php endpoint accepting the sy parameter
Any deployment exposing the application to untrusted networks

Discovery Timeline

2026-06-08 - CVE-2026-11485 published to NVD
2026-06-08 - Last updated in NVD database

Technical Details for CVE-2026-11485

Vulnerability Analysis

The vulnerability stems from improper neutralization of user-supplied input passed to the sy parameter in /archive2.php. The application concatenates the parameter value directly into a SQL query, allowing attackers to break out of the intended query context. An unauthenticated attacker can append SQL clauses to read, modify, or enumerate database records.

Because the affected endpoint is reachable over HTTP and requires no privileges, exploitation can be automated using standard tooling such as sqlmap. The public disclosure of exploit details, referenced in the GitHub issue and VulDB entry, lowers the barrier for opportunistic attacks against internet-facing instances.

Root Cause

The root cause is the absence of parameterized queries or input validation when handling the sy argument. User input is interpolated into the SQL statement as a string fragment, allowing metacharacters such as single quotes, UNION, and comment markers to alter query semantics.

Attack Vector

An attacker sends a crafted HTTP request to /archive2.php with a malicious value in the sy parameter. By embedding SQL syntax such as UNION SELECT payloads or boolean-based blind injection patterns, the attacker can extract database contents, including credentials and application configuration data. No session, cookie, or authentication token is required.

The vulnerability allows interaction with the backend database engine. See the VulDB CTI report for additional exploitation context.

Detection Methods for CVE-2026-11485

Indicators of Compromise

HTTP requests to /archive2.php containing SQL metacharacters such as ', --, UNION, SELECT, or SLEEP( in the sy parameter.
Web server access logs showing repeated requests to /archive2.php from a single source with varying sy values, consistent with automated SQL injection tooling.
Database errors or anomalous query execution times correlated with traffic to the /archive2.php endpoint.

Detection Strategies

Deploy web application firewall (WAF) rules that flag SQL injection signatures in query parameters submitted to /archive2.php.
Enable database query logging and alert on UNION, INFORMATION_SCHEMA, or time-delay function usage originating from the timetabling application user.
Correlate web access logs with database audit logs to identify injection attempts that successfully execute against the backend.

Monitoring Recommendations

Monitor HTTP 500 errors and unexpected response sizes on the /archive2.php endpoint as indicators of injection probing.
Track outbound connections from the database host that may indicate post-exploitation data exfiltration.
Review authentication logs for new or unexpected administrative accounts created after suspicious traffic to the application.

How to Mitigate CVE-2026-11485

Immediate Actions Required

Restrict network access to the Class and Exam Timetabling System using firewall rules or VPN-only access until a fix is applied.
Apply input validation and allow-list filtering on the sy parameter at the web server or reverse proxy layer.
Audit the application database for unauthorized data modifications and rotate any credentials stored within it.

Patch Information

No official vendor patch has been published at the time of disclosure. SourceCodester resources are available at the SourceCodester website. Administrators should monitor the VulDB entry and the upstream GitHub issue for remediation updates.

Workarounds

Replace dynamic SQL in /archive2.php with prepared statements using PDO or mysqli parameterized queries.
Deploy a WAF with SQL injection rule sets, such as the OWASP Core Rule Set, in blocking mode in front of the application.
Run the application database account with least-privilege permissions, removing rights such as FILE, CREATE USER, and write access to tables not required at runtime.
Disable or remove the /archive2.php endpoint if it is not required for production use.

bash

# Example ModSecurity rule to block SQLi patterns in the sy parameter
SecRule ARGS:sy "@detectSQLi" \
    "id:1026114850,\
    phase:2,\
    deny,\
    status:403,\
    msg:'Possible SQLi against /archive2.php sy parameter (CVE-2026-11485)',\
    logdata:'Matched Data: %{MATCHED_VAR} in %{MATCHED_VAR_NAME}'"