CVE-2026-7228 Overview
A SQL injection vulnerability has been identified in SourceCodester Pizzafy Ecommerce System version 1.0. The vulnerability exists in the get_cart_count function within the file /admin/ajax.php?action=get_cart_count. An attacker can manipulate the ID argument to inject malicious SQL queries, potentially compromising the underlying database. This attack can be executed remotely without authentication, making it a significant security concern for any deployment of this e-commerce platform.
Critical Impact
Remote attackers can exploit this SQL injection vulnerability to extract sensitive data, modify database contents, or potentially gain unauthorized access to the system through database-level attacks.
Affected Products
- SourceCodester Pizzafy Ecommerce System 1.0
Discovery Timeline
- 2026-04-28 - CVE CVE-2026-7228 published to NVD
- 2026-04-29 - Last updated in NVD database
Technical Details for CVE-2026-7228
Vulnerability Analysis
This vulnerability is classified under CWE-74 (Improper Neutralization of Special Elements in Output Used by a Downstream Component), which encompasses injection vulnerabilities where user-controlled input is not properly sanitized before being used in sensitive operations. The get_cart_count function in the administrative AJAX handler accepts an ID parameter that is directly incorporated into SQL queries without adequate input validation or parameterization. This allows an attacker to craft malicious input that alters the intended SQL query structure, enabling unauthorized database operations.
The exploit for this vulnerability has been publicly disclosed and may be actively used by threat actors. The network-accessible nature of this flaw means that any internet-exposed deployment of the Pizzafy Ecommerce System is potentially at risk.
Root Cause
The root cause of this vulnerability is the failure to properly sanitize or parameterize user-supplied input before incorporating it into SQL queries. The get_cart_count function in /admin/ajax.php directly uses the ID parameter in database queries, allowing attackers to inject arbitrary SQL code. This is a classic example of insufficient input validation in a web application handling database operations.
Attack Vector
The attack is executed remotely over the network by sending a crafted HTTP request to the vulnerable endpoint /admin/ajax.php?action=get_cart_count. The attacker manipulates the ID parameter to include SQL injection payloads that can:
- Extract sensitive data from the database (data exfiltration)
- Modify or delete database records (data manipulation)
- Bypass authentication mechanisms
- Potentially execute system-level commands if database permissions allow
The vulnerability requires no user interaction or prior authentication to exploit, making it particularly dangerous for publicly accessible instances. For detailed technical information about the exploitation methodology, refer to the GitHub SQL Injection Submission.
Detection Methods for CVE-2026-7228
Indicators of Compromise
- Unusual or malformed requests to /admin/ajax.php?action=get_cart_count with suspicious ID parameter values
- Database error messages appearing in application logs indicating SQL syntax errors
- Unexpected database queries in MySQL/MariaDB slow query logs or general query logs
- Signs of data exfiltration or unauthorized database access in audit logs
Detection Strategies
- Implement Web Application Firewall (WAF) rules to detect SQL injection patterns in the ID parameter
- Monitor HTTP access logs for requests to the vulnerable endpoint containing SQL metacharacters (single quotes, double dashes, UNION keywords)
- Deploy database activity monitoring to identify anomalous query patterns
- Use intrusion detection systems (IDS) with signatures for SQL injection attacks
Monitoring Recommendations
- Enable detailed logging for the /admin/ajax.php endpoint and review regularly for suspicious activity
- Configure alerting for database errors that may indicate failed SQL injection attempts
- Monitor for unusual data access patterns or bulk data retrieval from the database
- Implement real-time security monitoring for web application traffic anomalies
How to Mitigate CVE-2026-7228
Immediate Actions Required
- Restrict network access to the /admin/ajax.php endpoint using firewall rules or IP whitelisting
- Implement input validation on the ID parameter to accept only numeric values
- Deploy a Web Application Firewall (WAF) with SQL injection protection rules
- Consider taking the application offline if it contains sensitive data until a proper fix is implemented
Patch Information
No official vendor patch has been identified for this vulnerability. SourceCodester applications are typically provided as open-source projects, and users may need to implement their own fixes. Review the SourceCodester website for any updates or community patches. The vulnerability details are documented in VulDB Vulnerability #359828.
Workarounds
- Implement prepared statements or parameterized queries in the get_cart_count function to prevent SQL injection
- Add server-side input validation to ensure the ID parameter contains only expected numeric values
- Restrict access to the admin AJAX interface using authentication and IP-based access controls
- Consider migrating to a more actively maintained e-commerce platform if vendor support is unavailable
To implement basic input validation for the vulnerable endpoint, ensure the ID parameter is sanitized before use in database queries. Use prepared statements with bound parameters instead of string concatenation for SQL query construction. If using PHP, utilize PDO with prepared statements or the mysqli_real_escape_string() function as a minimum safeguard.
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
