CVE-2026-4615 Overview
A SQL injection vulnerability has been identified in SourceCodester Online Catering Reservation version 1.0. The vulnerability exists in an unspecified function within the /search.php file, where improper handling of the rcode argument allows attackers to inject malicious SQL queries. This vulnerability can be exploited remotely without authentication, potentially allowing unauthorized access to the application's database.
Critical Impact
Remote attackers can exploit this SQL injection flaw to extract, modify, or delete sensitive data from the backend database, potentially compromising user information and reservation records.
Affected Products
- SourceCodester Online Catering Reservation 1.0
- Systems running the vulnerable /search.php endpoint
- Web applications utilizing the affected codebase
Discovery Timeline
- 2026-03-24 - CVE-2026-4615 published to NVD
- 2026-03-24 - Last updated in NVD database
Technical Details for CVE-2026-4615
Vulnerability Analysis
This vulnerability is classified as CWE-74 (Improper Neutralization of Special Elements in Output Used by a Downstream Component), which encompasses injection flaws including SQL injection. The vulnerable endpoint /search.php accepts user input through the rcode parameter without proper sanitization or parameterized queries, allowing attackers to manipulate database queries directly.
The attack can be initiated remotely over the network, requiring no authentication or user interaction. Successful exploitation could result in unauthorized data access, data modification, or potential data loss within the application's database.
Root Cause
The root cause of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and sanitization of the rcode parameter in the /search.php file. The application directly concatenates user-supplied input into SQL queries without proper escaping or the use of prepared statements, enabling injection of arbitrary SQL commands.
Attack Vector
An attacker can exploit this vulnerability by sending specially crafted HTTP requests to the /search.php endpoint with malicious SQL code embedded in the rcode parameter. Since the vulnerability is accessible over the network without authentication, any remote attacker can attempt exploitation.
The attack flow typically involves:
- Identifying the vulnerable endpoint at /search.php
- Crafting malicious input containing SQL syntax in the rcode parameter
- Submitting the request to execute unauthorized database operations
- Extracting sensitive data or modifying database contents
For detailed technical information about this vulnerability, refer to the GitHub PoC Repository and VulDB entry #352479.
Detection Methods for CVE-2026-4615
Indicators of Compromise
- Unusual database query patterns or errors in application logs related to /search.php
- HTTP requests to /search.php containing SQL syntax characters such as single quotes, double dashes, or UNION keywords in the rcode parameter
- Unexpected database access or data exfiltration activities
- Error messages revealing database structure or query information
Detection Strategies
- Implement Web Application Firewall (WAF) rules to detect and block SQL injection patterns targeting the rcode parameter
- Monitor web server access logs for suspicious requests to /search.php with encoded or malformed input
- Deploy database activity monitoring to identify anomalous query patterns
- Enable application-level logging to capture and alert on SQL syntax errors
Monitoring Recommendations
- Configure real-time alerting for SQL injection attack signatures in web traffic
- Establish baseline database query patterns and alert on deviations
- Monitor for bulk data extraction attempts or unusual SELECT queries
- Review application error logs regularly for SQL-related exceptions
How to Mitigate CVE-2026-4615
Immediate Actions Required
- Restrict access to the /search.php endpoint until a patch is applied
- Implement input validation and sanitization for the rcode parameter
- Deploy Web Application Firewall (WAF) rules to block SQL injection attempts
- Review and audit database access logs for signs of prior exploitation
Patch Information
No official vendor patch has been identified in the available CVE data. Organizations using SourceCodester Online Catering Reservation 1.0 should monitor the SourceCodester website for security updates. Given that this is an open-source project, administrators may need to implement manual code fixes or consider alternative solutions.
For additional technical details and vulnerability tracking, refer to the VulDB CTI entry.
Workarounds
- Implement prepared statements or parameterized queries in the vulnerable PHP code to prevent SQL injection
- Add strict input validation for the rcode parameter, allowing only expected alphanumeric characters
- Deploy a WAF with SQL injection protection rules as an interim measure
- Consider temporarily disabling the search functionality if it is not business-critical
# Configuration example - Apache mod_security rule to block SQL injection
SecRule ARGS:rcode "@detectSQLi" \
"id:1001,\
phase:2,\
deny,\
status:403,\
log,\
msg:'SQL Injection attempt detected in rcode parameter',\
tag:'CVE-2026-4615'"
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
