CVE-2026-5840
SQL Injection in PHPGurukul News Portal /admin/check_availability.php
Publication date: 2026-04-09
Last updated on: 2026-04-29
Assigner: VulDB
Description
Description
CVSS Scores
EPSS Scores
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Meta Information
Affected Vendors & Products
| Vendor | Product | Version / Range |
|---|---|---|
| phpgurukul | news_portal_project | From 4.1 (inc) |
Helpful Resources
Exploitability
| CWE ID | Description |
|---|---|
| CWE-74 | The product constructs all or part of a command, data structure, or record using externally-influenced input from an upstream component, but it does not neutralize or incorrectly neutralizes special elements that could modify how it is parsed or interpreted when it is sent to a downstream component. |
| CWE-89 | The product constructs all or part of an SQL command using externally-influenced input from an upstream component, but it does not neutralize or incorrectly neutralizes special elements that could modify the intended SQL command when it is sent to a downstream component. Without sufficient removal or quoting of SQL syntax in user-controllable inputs, the generated SQL query can cause those inputs to be interpreted as SQL instead of ordinary user data. |
Attack-Flow Graph
AI Powered Q&A
Can you explain this vulnerability to me?
CVE-2026-5840 is a critical SQL injection vulnerability found in the PHPGurukul News Portal Project version 4.1, specifically in the /admin/check_availability.php file.
The vulnerability occurs because the 'username' parameter in a POST request is directly embedded into SQL queries without proper sanitization or validation.
This allows attackers to inject malicious SQL code, such as boolean-based blind or time-based blind SQL injection payloads, to manipulate the database queries.
How can this vulnerability impact me? :
Exploitation of this vulnerability can allow attackers to gain unauthorized access to the database.
- Leak sensitive data stored in the database.
- Modify or delete data, potentially disrupting business operations.
- Gain full system control, leading to severe security breaches.
- Disrupt services, affecting system availability and business continuity.
How can this vulnerability be detected on my network or system? Can you suggest some commands?
This vulnerability can be detected by testing the "username" parameter in POST requests to the /admin/check_availability.php file for SQL injection flaws.
Example payloads to test include boolean-based blind SQL injection and time-based blind SQL injection.
- Boolean-based blind payload: username=AAA' AND 9330=9330-- EZpQ
- Time-based blind payload (MySQL >= 5.0.12): username=AAA' AND (SELECT 7356 FROM (SELECT(SLEEP(5)))IGhC)-- Mtbe
You can use tools like sqlmap to automate detection by crafting POST requests targeting the "username" parameter.
Example command using curl to test the vulnerability manually:
- curl -X POST http://<target-ip>:<port>/newsportal/admin/check_availability.php -d "username=AAA' AND 9330=9330-- EZpQ" -H "Content-Type: application/x-www-form-urlencoded"
What immediate steps should I take to mitigate this vulnerability?
Immediate mitigation steps include:
- Use prepared statements with parameter binding to separate SQL code from user input.
- Implement rigorous input validation and filtering to ensure inputs conform to expected formats.
- Restrict database user permissions to the minimum necessary, avoiding use of high-privilege accounts for routine operations.
These steps help protect data integrity and system security by preventing unauthorized SQL injection attacks.
How does this vulnerability affect compliance with common standards and regulations (like GDPR, HIPAA)?:
The SQL injection vulnerability in the PHPGurukul News Portal Project 4.1 allows attackers to gain unauthorized access to the database, potentially leading to leakage, modification, or deletion of sensitive data. Such unauthorized data access and manipulation can compromise data integrity and confidentiality, which are critical requirements under common standards and regulations like GDPR and HIPAA.
Failure to protect sensitive data due to this vulnerability could result in non-compliance with these regulations, as they mandate strict controls to prevent unauthorized access and ensure data security and privacy.
Therefore, exploitation of this vulnerability could lead to violations of data protection laws and regulations, exposing organizations to legal and financial penalties.