CVE-2026-9474 Overview
CVE-2026-9474 is a SQL injection vulnerability in the yashpokharna2555 StudentManagementSystem project, a PHP-based open-source application distributed via GitHub. The flaw affects the confirm_logged_in function inside /studentdel.php, where the ID argument is concatenated into a SQL statement without sanitization. The project operates on a rolling release model up to commit cb2f558ddf8d19396de0f92abf2d224d46a0a203, so no discrete fixed version exists. An unauthenticated remote attacker can manipulate the ID parameter to inject arbitrary SQL. The exploit details have been published, and the maintainer has not responded to the issue report at the time of disclosure.
Critical Impact
Remote, unauthenticated attackers can inject SQL through the ID parameter of /studentdel.php, enabling unauthorized data access, modification, or deletion in the backing database.
Affected Products
- yashpokharna2555/StudentManagementSystem up to commit cb2f558ddf8d19396de0f92abf2d224d46a0a203
- Rolling release distribution — all commits up to the referenced hash are affected
- Component: /studentdel.php (function confirm_logged_in)
Discovery Timeline
- 2026-05-25 - CVE-2026-9474 published to NVD
- 2026-05-26 - Last updated in NVD database
Technical Details for CVE-2026-9474
Vulnerability Analysis
The vulnerability is a classic SQL injection issue classified under [CWE-74] (Improper Neutralization of Special Elements in Output Used by a Downstream Component). The confirm_logged_in function in /studentdel.php accepts the ID argument from a client-supplied request and passes it directly into a database query. Because the input is not parameterized or escaped, attackers control fragments of the resulting SQL statement.
The attack vector is network-based, requires no authentication, and needs no user interaction. According to the project description, StudentManagementSystem is delivered as a rolling release, so administrators cannot select a patched version — they must apply source-level fixes against the affected commit.
Root Cause
The root cause is direct concatenation of untrusted input into a SQL query inside the confirm_logged_in routine. The ID parameter, intended to identify a student record for deletion, is interpolated into the query string without prepared statements, type casting, or allow-list validation. This breaks the separation between code and data that is required to defend against injection.
Attack Vector
An attacker sends a crafted HTTP request to /studentdel.php with a malicious value in the ID parameter. By appending SQL meta-characters and additional clauses, the attacker can extract records via UNION queries, modify or delete arbitrary rows, or chain into stacked statements depending on the database driver in use. Because the endpoint executes a deletion query, blind boolean-based and time-based payloads are also viable for data exfiltration.
The ID parameter is the sole tainted input identified in the public report. Exploitation does not require valid credentials, since the access check in confirm_logged_in is reached before the vulnerable query executes. See the GitHub Issue #5 and the VulDB #365455 entry for additional technical detail.
Detection Methods for CVE-2026-9474
Indicators of Compromise
- HTTP requests to /studentdel.php containing SQL meta-characters in the ID parameter, such as single quotes, UNION, SELECT, SLEEP(, or comment sequences (--, #, /*).
- Web server access logs showing unusually long ID values or URL-encoded payloads targeting studentdel.php.
- Database error messages referencing syntax errors triggered by deletion queries originating from the application user.
Detection Strategies
- Deploy web application firewall (WAF) signatures for SQL injection patterns targeting the ID query string parameter on /studentdel.php.
- Enable database query logging and alert on DELETE statements containing tautologies (OR 1=1) or stacked queries from the application account.
- Perform static code review of the repository for direct string interpolation into mysqli_query, mysql_query, or PDO query calls.
Monitoring Recommendations
- Monitor for spikes in 500-level responses from /studentdel.php, which often indicate failed injection attempts.
- Track anomalous outbound data volumes from the database host that could signal mass extraction via UNION-based payloads.
- Correlate authentication events with deletion activity to surface unauthenticated calls reaching the vulnerable handler.
How to Mitigate CVE-2026-9474
Immediate Actions Required
- Restrict public exposure of /studentdel.php using network ACLs, authentication middleware, or a reverse proxy until a code fix is applied.
- Rewrite the database access in confirm_logged_in to use prepared statements with bound parameters for the ID value.
- Enforce strict server-side type validation, ensuring ID is an integer before it reaches any SQL context.
- Review database logs for evidence of prior exploitation against the studentdel.php endpoint.
Patch Information
No official patch has been released. The maintainer of the GitHub Project Repository was notified through GitHub Issue #5 but has not responded. Because the project uses a rolling release model, defenders should fork the repository and apply source-level remediations directly. Additional advisory context is available in VulDB #365455 and the VulDB CTI for #365455.
Workarounds
- Place the application behind a WAF with rules blocking SQL injection payloads on the ID parameter.
- Remove or disable /studentdel.php if record deletion is not required in the deployment.
- Run the database service with a least-privilege account that cannot execute schema changes or read unrelated tables.
- Consider migrating to a maintained student management platform until the upstream project resumes development.
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
