CVE-2026-6164 Overview
A SQL injection vulnerability has been discovered in code-projects Lost and Found Thing Management version 1.0. This vulnerability affects the file /addcat.php, where improper handling of the cata parameter allows attackers to inject malicious SQL statements. The attack can be initiated remotely over a network without requiring authentication, making it particularly dangerous for publicly accessible installations.
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
- code-projects Lost and Found Thing Management 1.0
Discovery Timeline
- 2026-04-13 - CVE-2026-6164 published to NVD
- 2026-04-13 - Last updated in NVD database
Technical Details for CVE-2026-6164
Vulnerability Analysis
This SQL injection vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation in the /addcat.php endpoint. The cata parameter accepts user-supplied input that is directly incorporated into SQL queries without proper sanitization or parameterized query usage. This classic injection flaw (CWE-74: Improper Neutralization of Special Elements in Output Used by a Downstream Component) allows attackers to break out of the intended query context and execute arbitrary SQL commands.
The vulnerability is remotely exploitable with low attack complexity, requiring no authentication or user interaction. While the immediate impact affects data confidentiality, integrity, and availability at a limited scope, successful exploitation could lead to broader system compromise depending on database permissions and system configuration.
Root Cause
The root cause is improper input validation in the /addcat.php file where the cata argument is processed. The application fails to sanitize or properly escape user input before incorporating it into SQL queries. This allows specially crafted input containing SQL metacharacters to alter the intended query logic.
The vulnerability falls under CWE-74 (Injection), indicating that the application does not properly neutralize special elements before they are used in a downstream component—in this case, the database query engine.
Attack Vector
The attack vector is network-based, meaning attackers can exploit this vulnerability remotely over HTTP/HTTPS requests. The vulnerability requires no prior authentication and no user interaction, making automated exploitation feasible.
An attacker would craft a malicious HTTP request to the /addcat.php endpoint with a payload in the cata parameter designed to manipulate the SQL query. Typical attack patterns include:
- Union-based injection: Extracting data from other database tables
- Boolean-based blind injection: Inferring database contents through true/false responses
- Time-based blind injection: Using database delays to extract information
- Stacked queries: Executing additional malicious SQL statements
The exploit has been publicly disclosed, increasing the risk of active exploitation attempts. For detailed technical information, refer to the GitHub CVE Issue Tracker and VulDB Vulnerability #357052.
Detection Methods for CVE-2026-6164
Indicators of Compromise
- HTTP requests to /addcat.php containing SQL metacharacters in the cata parameter (e.g., single quotes, double dashes, UNION keywords)
- Unusual database error messages in application logs indicating malformed SQL queries
- Unexpected database queries or data access patterns from the web application service account
- Evidence of data exfiltration or unauthorized database modifications
Detection Strategies
- Deploy web application firewall (WAF) rules to detect and block SQL injection patterns in requests to /addcat.php
- Implement application-level logging to capture all requests with parameters containing SQL keywords or special characters
- Configure database activity monitoring to alert on unusual query patterns or errors originating from the application
- Use intrusion detection systems (IDS) with signatures for common SQL injection attack payloads
Monitoring Recommendations
- Enable verbose logging on the web server for the /addcat.php endpoint
- Monitor database logs for failed queries or permission denied errors that may indicate exploitation attempts
- Set up alerts for high volumes of requests to /addcat.php from single IP addresses
- Review web application logs periodically for requests containing encoded SQL injection payloads
How to Mitigate CVE-2026-6164
Immediate Actions Required
- Restrict access to /addcat.php using network-level controls or authentication until a patch is applied
- Implement input validation to reject requests containing SQL metacharacters in the cata parameter
- Deploy WAF rules specifically targeting SQL injection attempts against the affected endpoint
- Consider taking the Lost and Found Thing Management application offline if it is publicly accessible
Patch Information
No official vendor patch information is currently available. Monitor the Code Projects website for security updates. Given that this is a code-projects application, users may need to apply source code modifications manually or wait for community-provided fixes.
For additional vulnerability details and potential remediation guidance, consult:
Workarounds
- Implement parameterized queries (prepared statements) in the /addcat.php file to prevent SQL injection
- Add server-side input validation to sanitize the cata parameter before database operations
- Restrict database user privileges for the application to minimum required permissions (principle of least privilege)
- Use a web application firewall to filter malicious requests while awaiting a permanent fix
# Example Apache .htaccess configuration to restrict access to vulnerable endpoint
<Files "addcat.php">
Order Deny,Allow
Deny from all
Allow from 192.168.1.0/24
</Files>
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
