CVE-2026-86210: Class and Exam Timetabling System SQL Injection

CVE-2026-86210 Overview

CVE-2026-86210 is a SQL injection vulnerability in SourceCodester Class and Exam Timetabling System 1.0. The flaw resides in the /delete_user_account.php script, where the ID parameter is passed to a backend database query without proper sanitization. Attackers can manipulate the ID argument to inject arbitrary SQL statements. The vulnerability is exploitable remotely over the network without authentication or user interaction. Public disclosure of the exploit technique increases the likelihood of opportunistic attacks against exposed instances. The weakness is classified under CWE-74 (Improper Neutralization of Special Elements in Output Used by a Downstream Component).

Critical Impact
Unauthenticated remote attackers can inject SQL through the ID parameter of /delete_user_account.php, potentially disclosing, modifying, or deleting database records in affected installations.

Affected Products

SourceCodester Class and Exam Timetabling System 1.0
Component: /delete_user_account.php
Vulnerable parameter: ID

Discovery Timeline

2026-09-06 - CVE-2026-86210 published to NVD
2026-09-09 - Last updated in NVD database

Technical Details for CVE-2026-86210

Vulnerability Analysis

The vulnerability affects the account deletion workflow in the Class and Exam Timetabling System. When a request reaches /delete_user_account.php, the application accepts the ID value from user-controlled input and concatenates it into a SQL query. Because the input is not parameterized or sanitized, an attacker can break out of the intended query context and append arbitrary SQL clauses. Successful exploitation allows unauthorized reads against user tables, tampering with account records, and destructive operations such as row or table deletion. The attack is executed with a single HTTP request and does not require credentials.

Root Cause

The root cause is improper neutralization of special elements in the ID parameter before it is passed to the database layer. The affected PHP script relies on direct string interpolation rather than prepared statements with bound parameters. Any input containing SQL metacharacters such as single quotes, UNION, or comment sequences is executed by the database engine.

Attack Vector

Exploitation is performed remotely by issuing a crafted HTTP request to /delete_user_account.php with a malicious ID value. Common payloads include boolean-based, union-based, and time-based blind SQL injection strings. Because the vulnerable endpoint concerns account deletion, an attacker may combine SQL injection with logic abuse to escalate database impact. Refer to the VulDB CVE-2026-86210 Details and the GitHub Issue #8 Discussion for further technical context.

No verified proof-of-concept code is included. See external references for public exploitation details.

Detection Methods for CVE-2026-86210

Indicators of Compromise

HTTP requests to /delete_user_account.php containing SQL metacharacters such as ', ", --, ;, UNION, or SLEEP( in the ID parameter.
Unexpected database errors or 500 responses correlated with requests targeting the delete_user_account.php endpoint.
Anomalous account deletions or modifications in the timetabling application's user table without a corresponding administrative session.

Detection Strategies

Deploy web application firewall (WAF) rules that inspect the ID parameter on /delete_user_account.php for SQL injection signatures.
Enable database query logging and alert on parameterized deletion endpoints returning UNION-based or time-based query patterns.
Correlate authentication logs against destructive database events to identify unauthenticated deletion attempts.

Monitoring Recommendations

Monitor web server access logs for high-volume or automated scanning against /delete_user_account.php.
Alert on requests originating from unusual geographies or IPs with elevated request rates targeting user-management PHP scripts.
Track database error rates as a leading indicator of injection probing.

How to Mitigate CVE-2026-86210

Immediate Actions Required

Restrict network exposure of the Class and Exam Timetabling System 1.0 application to trusted networks or place it behind a WAF.
Disable or block access to /delete_user_account.php until a validated fix is in place.
Audit the application database for unauthorized modifications, deletions, or data exfiltration attempts.

Patch Information

At the time of publication, no vendor patch has been referenced in the NVD entry for CVE-2026-86210. Administrators should monitor the SourceCodester Resource Repository and the VulDB Vulnerability #399345 page for updates. Until a maintained fix is available, mitigation depends on compensating controls and source-code remediation by the operator.

Workarounds

Refactor the affected query to use prepared statements with bound parameters (for example, PDO or mysqli parameterized queries) and validate that ID is a numeric value.
Apply server-side input validation to reject non-integer values submitted to the ID parameter before the request reaches the database layer.
Enforce least-privilege database accounts so the web application cannot perform destructive operations beyond the required scope.

bash

# Example nginx rule to block obvious SQLi metacharacters on the vulnerable endpoint
location = /delete_user_account.php {
    if ($arg_ID ~* "('|\"|;|--|union|select|sleep\(|benchmark\()") {
        return 403;
    }
}