SourceCodester Online Admission System SQL Injection Vulnerability in programmes.php

A SQL injection vulnerability has been identified in SourceCodester Online Admission System version 1.0, specifically within the programmes.php file. The issue arises from inadequate validation of user input in the 'program' parameter, allowing attackers to inject malicious SQL queries. This vulnerability can be exploited remotely, without the need for authentication, potentially leading to unauthorized database access, data manipulation, and exposure of sensitive information.

Impact

Exploitation of this vulnerability allows for SQL injection, which could be used to access, modify, or delete database information. Additionally, it could lead to unauthorized control over the system or cause a disruption of services.

Reproduction

The vulnerability can be reproduced by sending a crafted request to the 'programmes.php' file with a payload that exploits the SQL injection flaw. This can be done using a web browser or a tool like sqlmap, which automates the process of finding and exploiting SQL injection vulnerabilities.

Remediation

To address this vulnerability, it is recommended to use prepared statements and parameter binding to prevent SQL injection. Input validation and filtering should be implemented to ensure user input conforms to expected formats. Additionally, database user permissions should be minimized, and regular security audits conducted to identify and fix potential vulnerabilities.