CVE-2026-3981 Overview
A SQL injection vulnerability has been identified in itsourcecode Online Doctor Appointment System version 1.0. The vulnerability exists in an unknown function of the file /admin/doctor_action.php. By manipulating the ID argument, an attacker can inject malicious SQL commands. This vulnerability is remotely exploitable over the network, and exploit information has been publicly disclosed.
Critical Impact
Remote attackers can exploit this SQL injection vulnerability to manipulate database queries, potentially leading to unauthorized data access, data modification, or complete database compromise.
Affected Products
- itsourcecode Online Doctor Appointment System 1.0
- /admin/doctor_action.php endpoint
Discovery Timeline
- 2026-03-12 - CVE-2026-3981 published to NVD
- 2026-03-12 - Last updated in NVD database
Technical Details for CVE-2026-3981
Vulnerability Analysis
This SQL injection vulnerability (CWE-74: Injection) occurs in the Online Doctor Appointment System's administrative functionality. The vulnerable endpoint /admin/doctor_action.php fails to properly sanitize user-supplied input for the ID parameter before incorporating it into SQL queries. This allows attackers to inject arbitrary SQL statements that are executed by the backend database.
The vulnerability is accessible over the network without requiring authentication or user interaction, making it particularly dangerous for exposed instances. Successful exploitation could allow attackers to read sensitive patient data, modify appointment records, or potentially escalate to full database server compromise depending on database permissions.
Root Cause
The root cause is improper input validation and lack of parameterized queries in the /admin/doctor_action.php file. The ID parameter is directly concatenated into SQL statements without sanitization or the use of prepared statements, allowing user-controlled data to be interpreted as SQL commands rather than data values.
Attack Vector
The attack vector is network-based, targeting the /admin/doctor_action.php endpoint. An attacker can craft malicious HTTP requests containing SQL injection payloads in the ID parameter. Since this is an administrative endpoint, the attack may target session management, doctor records, or other sensitive administrative functions.
The vulnerability can be exploited by sending specially crafted requests to the vulnerable endpoint, manipulating the ID parameter to include SQL syntax such as single quotes, UNION statements, or boolean-based injection techniques. Additional technical details are available in the GitHub Issue Report and VulDB #350416.
Detection Methods for CVE-2026-3981
Indicators of Compromise
- Unusual SQL error messages in application logs originating from /admin/doctor_action.php
- HTTP requests to /admin/doctor_action.php containing SQL syntax characters (single quotes, double dashes, UNION keywords) in the ID parameter
- Unexpected database queries or database access patterns from the web application
- Evidence of data exfiltration or unauthorized database reads in database audit logs
Detection Strategies
- Deploy Web Application Firewall (WAF) rules to detect SQL injection patterns in requests to /admin/doctor_action.php
- Monitor web server access logs for requests containing SQL injection signatures targeting the ID parameter
- Implement database activity monitoring to detect anomalous query patterns
- Use application-layer intrusion detection to identify malformed requests
Monitoring Recommendations
- Enable verbose logging for the Online Doctor Appointment System administrative interface
- Configure database audit logging to track all queries executed by the web application
- Set up alerts for SQL syntax errors or unusual query execution times
- Monitor for bulk data access patterns that may indicate data exfiltration attempts
How to Mitigate CVE-2026-3981
Immediate Actions Required
- Restrict network access to the /admin/doctor_action.php endpoint using firewall rules or access control lists
- Implement Web Application Firewall (WAF) rules to block SQL injection attempts
- Review and audit database user permissions to enforce least privilege
- Consider taking the vulnerable endpoint offline until a patch is applied
Patch Information
No official vendor patch has been identified at this time. Organizations using itsourcecode Online Doctor Appointment System 1.0 should contact the vendor at IT Source Code for patch availability. Monitor VulDB #350416 for updates on remediation guidance.
Workarounds
- Implement input validation to filter SQL metacharacters from the ID parameter before processing
- Use parameterized queries or prepared statements for all database interactions in /admin/doctor_action.php
- Deploy a reverse proxy with request filtering to sanitize incoming requests
- Restrict access to administrative endpoints to trusted IP addresses only
# Example: Restrict access to admin directory via .htaccess
<Directory "/var/www/html/admin">
Require ip 10.0.0.0/8
Require ip 192.168.0.0/16
</Directory>
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
