CVE-2026-4625 Overview
A SQL injection vulnerability has been identified in SourceCodester Online Admission System version 1.0. This flaw exists in the /programmes.php file, where improper handling of the program argument allows attackers to inject malicious SQL statements. The vulnerability can be exploited remotely without authentication, potentially allowing unauthorized access to sensitive database information, data manipulation, or further system compromise.
Critical Impact
Remote attackers can exploit this SQL injection vulnerability to extract sensitive student admission data, modify database records, or potentially escalate access to the underlying server infrastructure.
Affected Products
- SourceCodester Online Admission System 1.0
- Web applications utilizing the vulnerable /programmes.php endpoint
Discovery Timeline
- 2026-03-24 - CVE-2026-4625 published to NVD
- 2026-03-24 - Last updated in NVD database
Technical Details for CVE-2026-4625
Vulnerability Analysis
This vulnerability is classified under CWE-74 (Improper Neutralization of Special Elements in Output Used by a Downstream Component), commonly referred to as injection vulnerabilities. The affected application fails to properly sanitize user-supplied input in the program parameter before incorporating it into SQL queries executed against the backend database.
The SQL injection occurs in the /programmes.php file, where the application directly concatenates user input into database queries without proper parameterization or input validation. This allows attackers to break out of the intended query structure and execute arbitrary SQL commands.
Root Cause
The root cause of this vulnerability is inadequate input validation and the use of dynamic SQL query construction. The application does not employ prepared statements or parameterized queries when processing the program argument, allowing special SQL characters and commands to be interpreted by the database engine rather than being treated as literal data.
Attack Vector
The attack can be launched remotely over the network without requiring any authentication or user interaction. An attacker can craft malicious HTTP requests containing SQL injection payloads in the program parameter of the /programmes.php endpoint.
A typical exploitation scenario involves sending specially crafted values in the program parameter that manipulate the SQL query logic. Attackers may use techniques such as UNION-based injection to extract data, boolean-based blind injection to enumerate database contents, or time-based blind injection when direct output is not available. The exploit has been publicly disclosed and documented, increasing the risk of widespread exploitation. For technical details on the exploitation methodology, refer to the GitHub CVE Documentation.
Detection Methods for CVE-2026-4625
Indicators of Compromise
- Unusual SQL syntax or special characters (single quotes, double dashes, UNION statements) appearing in web server logs for /programmes.php
- Database error messages returned in HTTP responses indicating query syntax errors
- Anomalous database queries originating from the web application server
- Unexpected data exfiltration patterns or database access spikes
Detection Strategies
- Implement web application firewall (WAF) rules to detect common SQL injection patterns in the program parameter
- Monitor web server access logs for requests to /programmes.php containing suspicious characters such as ', --, UNION, SELECT, or OR 1=1
- Deploy intrusion detection signatures targeting SQL injection attempts against PHP applications
- Enable database query logging and alert on queries with unusual structure or timing
Monitoring Recommendations
- Configure real-time alerting for SQL injection attack patterns in web traffic
- Implement database activity monitoring to detect unauthorized data access or extraction attempts
- Review application logs for repeated failed requests that may indicate injection probing
- Monitor for any unauthorized changes to database records in the admission system
How to Mitigate CVE-2026-4625
Immediate Actions Required
- Restrict network access to the vulnerable /programmes.php endpoint using firewall rules or access control lists
- Implement WAF rules to block requests containing SQL injection payloads in the program parameter
- Consider temporarily disabling the affected functionality until a patch can be applied
- Audit database access logs for signs of prior exploitation
Patch Information
No official vendor patch has been identified at this time. Organizations using SourceCodester Online Admission System 1.0 should monitor SourceCodester for security updates. Additional vulnerability details are available through VulDB #352493.
Workarounds
- Implement input validation to allow only expected alphanumeric characters in the program parameter
- Modify the application code to use prepared statements or parameterized queries for all database interactions
- Deploy a web application firewall configured to detect and block SQL injection attempts
- Restrict database user privileges to minimize potential damage from successful exploitation
# Example: Apache mod_rewrite rule to block suspicious program parameter values
# Add to .htaccess or Apache configuration
RewriteEngine On
RewriteCond %{QUERY_STRING} program=.*('|--|;|UNION|SELECT|INSERT|DELETE|DROP) [NC]
RewriteRule ^programmes\.php$ - [F,L]
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
