SQL Injection in CodeAstro Simple Online Leave Management System

Executive Summary

CVE-2026-15559 is a SQL injection vulnerability in CodeAstro Simple Online Leave Management System version 1.0. The vulnerability exists in the file /SimpleOnlineLeave/admin/accept.php, specifically in the POST parameter handler for the argument 'appid'.

SQL injection occurs when an attacker manipulates the 'appid' parameter by injecting malicious SQL code. This happens because the application does not properly validate or sanitize user-supplied input before using it in SQL queries. As a result, attackers can execute unauthorized SQL commands on the database.

The vulnerability can be exploited remotely, meaning an attacker does not need physical access to the system. The exploit for this vulnerability is publicly available, increasing the risk of it being used maliciously.

• Insufficient input validation and sanitization of the 'appid' POST parameter.
• Direct use of user-supplied input in SQL queries without proper handling.
• Remote exploitation capability, allowing attackers to target the system over a network.

Useful 0 Not Useful 0

Detection Guidance

To detect this vulnerability, you can check if your system is running the affected version of CodeAstro Simple Online Leave Management System 1.0. The vulnerability exists in the file /SimpleOnlineLeave/admin/accept.php and is triggered via the appid POST parameter.

You can use the following methods to detect the vulnerability:

• Manual inspection: Review the source code of /SimpleOnlineLeave/admin/accept.php to verify if the appid parameter is directly used in SQL queries without proper sanitization or prepared statements.
• Network traffic analysis: Use tools like Wireshark or Burp Suite to monitor HTTP POST requests to /SimpleOnlineLeave/admin/accept.php. Look for requests containing the appid parameter with suspicious SQL syntax.
• Automated scanning: Use vulnerability scanners like OWASP ZAP or Nessus to scan for SQL injection vulnerabilities in the application. Configure the scanner to target the specific endpoint and parameter.
• Proof of concept (PoC) testing: If you have authorization, you can test for the vulnerability using a time-based blind SQL injection payload. For example, send a POST request with the appid parameter set to a payload like: appid=1 AND (SELECT * FROM (SELECT(SLEEP(5)))a). If the server response is delayed by 5 seconds, the vulnerability is confirmed.

Ensure you have proper authorization before performing any testing to avoid legal or ethical issues.

Useful 0 Not Useful 0

Impact Analysis

This vulnerability can have several serious impacts if exploited by an attacker.

• Unauthorized database access: Attackers can gain access to sensitive data stored in the database, such as user credentials, personal information, or other confidential records.
• Data leakage: Sensitive information may be extracted from the database and exposed to unauthorized parties.
• Data modification or deletion: Attackers can alter or delete database records, leading to data corruption or loss.
• System compromise: In severe cases, attackers may gain control over the entire system, potentially disrupting operations or using the system as a launchpad for further attacks.

The CVSS scores indicate that the vulnerability has a moderate to high impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability of the system. Specifically, the CVSS v3.1 score of 6.3 reflects risks to all three aspects (confidentiality, integrity, and availability) at a low level.

Useful 0 Not Useful 0

Compliance Impact

This vulnerability can significantly impact compliance with various standards and regulations, particularly those related to data protection and privacy.

• GDPR (General Data Protection Regulation): If the affected system processes personal data of EU citizens, this vulnerability could lead to non-compliance with GDPR. Unauthorized access or data leakage could result in violations of data protection principles, leading to hefty fines and legal consequences.
• HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act): For organizations handling protected health information (PHI), this vulnerability could result in unauthorized access to sensitive patient data. This would violate HIPAA's security and privacy rules, potentially leading to penalties and reputational damage.
• Other standards: Compliance with frameworks like ISO 27001, PCI DSS, or NIST may also be affected. These standards require organizations to implement adequate security controls to protect data from unauthorized access and manipulation. Failure to address this vulnerability could result in non-compliance and associated consequences.

Organizations must address this vulnerability promptly to avoid regulatory violations, financial penalties, and damage to their reputation.

Useful 0 Not Useful 0

Mitigation Strategies

To mitigate this SQL injection vulnerability, follow these immediate steps:

• Apply input validation: Ensure the appid parameter is strictly validated to accept only expected data types (e.g., integers) and reject any input containing SQL syntax or special characters.
• Use prepared statements: Replace direct SQL query construction with parameterized queries or prepared statements to separate SQL logic from user-supplied data. This prevents malicious input from altering query structure.
• Implement least-privilege database access: Restrict database user permissions to only what is necessary for the application to function. Avoid using accounts with administrative privileges for application-level queries.
• Apply vendor patches: Check for official patches or updates from the vendor (CodeAstro) and apply them immediately to fix the vulnerability in the /SimpleOnlineLeave/admin/accept.php file.
• Deploy a web application firewall (WAF): Configure a WAF to filter and block malicious SQL injection attempts targeting the vulnerable endpoint.
• Monitor and log suspicious activity: Enable logging for all access to the /SimpleOnlineLeave/admin/accept.php endpoint and monitor for unusual or repeated SQL injection attempts.
• Temporarily restrict access: If patching is not immediately possible, restrict access to the vulnerable endpoint to trusted IP addresses or disable it until a fix is applied.

Useful 0 Not Useful 0