CVE-2026-7391 Overview
A SQL injection vulnerability has been discovered in SourceCodester Pharmacy Sales and Inventory System version 1.0. This flaw affects the save_supplier function within the file /ajax.php?action=save_supplier. By manipulating the ID argument, an attacker can inject malicious SQL commands. The vulnerability can be exploited remotely over the network, and a proof-of-concept exploit has been published.
Critical Impact
Remote attackers can exploit this SQL injection vulnerability to manipulate database queries, potentially leading to unauthorized data access, data modification, or database corruption in pharmacy inventory systems.
Affected Products
- SourceCodester Pharmacy Sales and Inventory System 1.0
Discovery Timeline
- 2026-04-29 - CVE CVE-2026-7391 published to NVD
- 2026-04-29 - Last updated in NVD database
Technical Details for CVE-2026-7391
Vulnerability Analysis
This SQL injection vulnerability exists in the save_supplier function of the SourceCodester Pharmacy Sales and Inventory System. The application fails to properly sanitize user-supplied input in the ID parameter before incorporating it into SQL queries. This allows attackers to inject arbitrary SQL commands that will be executed by the underlying database engine.
The vulnerable endpoint /ajax.php?action=save_supplier accepts the ID parameter without adequate validation or parameterized query handling. When a malicious payload is submitted through this parameter, it becomes part of the SQL query structure, enabling attackers to bypass authentication, extract sensitive data, modify records, or potentially execute administrative operations on the database.
Root Cause
The root cause of this vulnerability is improper input validation (CWE-74: Improper Neutralization of Special Elements in Output Used by a Downstream Component). The save_supplier function directly incorporates user-controlled input from the ID parameter into SQL queries without proper sanitization or the use of prepared statements with parameterized queries.
Attack Vector
The attack can be executed remotely over the network. An authenticated attacker with low privileges can exploit this vulnerability by sending a crafted HTTP request to the vulnerable endpoint /ajax.php?action=save_supplier with a malicious ID parameter containing SQL injection payloads. The exploit has been published and documented, making this vulnerability accessible to threat actors.
The vulnerability can be triggered by submitting specially crafted SQL syntax within the ID parameter, allowing the attacker to manipulate the database query logic. Typical exploitation scenarios include using UNION-based, error-based, or blind SQL injection techniques to extract data or manipulate database contents.
Detection Methods for CVE-2026-7391
Indicators of Compromise
- Unusual SQL error messages in application logs related to the save_supplier function
- Anomalous HTTP requests to /ajax.php?action=save_supplier containing SQL syntax characters such as single quotes, double dashes, or UNION keywords
- Unexpected database query patterns or failed queries originating from the pharmacy application
- Evidence of data exfiltration or unauthorized database modifications in audit logs
Detection Strategies
- Implement Web Application Firewall (WAF) rules to detect and block SQL injection patterns targeting the /ajax.php endpoint
- Monitor application logs for SQL syntax errors or unusual query patterns related to the supplier management functionality
- Deploy database activity monitoring to identify anomalous queries or unauthorized data access attempts
- Use intrusion detection systems (IDS) with signatures for common SQL injection attack patterns
Monitoring Recommendations
- Enable verbose logging for all database queries executed by the pharmacy application
- Set up alerts for HTTP requests containing SQL injection payload signatures targeting /ajax.php?action=save_supplier
- Monitor for unusual authentication patterns or privilege escalation attempts following exploitation
- Review database audit logs regularly for unauthorized SELECT, INSERT, UPDATE, or DELETE operations
How to Mitigate CVE-2026-7391
Immediate Actions Required
- Restrict network access to the vulnerable endpoint /ajax.php?action=save_supplier to trusted IP addresses only
- Implement input validation to sanitize the ID parameter before processing
- Deploy a Web Application Firewall (WAF) with SQL injection protection rules
- Consider taking the affected system offline until a patch is available or mitigations are in place
Patch Information
No official patch has been released by SourceCodester at the time of this publication. Organizations should monitor the SourceCodester website for security updates. In the absence of an official patch, implementing the workarounds below is strongly recommended.
Additional vulnerability details can be found in the GitHub Issue Report and VulDB Vulnerability #360116.
Workarounds
- Modify the save_supplier function to use prepared statements with parameterized queries instead of string concatenation
- Implement strict input validation on the ID parameter to accept only numeric values
- Add application-level access controls to restrict who can access the supplier management functionality
- Deploy network-level segmentation to isolate the pharmacy system from untrusted networks
# Configuration example - Apache mod_rewrite rule to block SQL injection patterns
# Add to .htaccess or Apache configuration
RewriteEngine On
RewriteCond %{QUERY_STRING} (union|select|insert|update|delete|drop|script|\.\.\/|;) [NC]
RewriteRule ^ajax\.php$ - [F,L]
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
