CVE-2023-4871 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

This article provides an overview of CVE-2023-4871, a critical vulnerability found in SourceCodester Contact Manager App 1.0 that allows for SQL Injection through the file delete.php.

Understanding CVE-2023-4871

CVE-2023-4871 is a critical vulnerability discovered in SourceCodester Contact Manager App 1.0, impacting the file delete.php. The vulnerability allows for SQL Injection by manipulating the argument contact/contactName, enabling remote attacks.

What is CVE-2023-4871?

The CVE-2023-4871 vulnerability is classified as critical and affects the Contact Manager App 1.0 from SourceCodester. By manipulating the contact/contactName argument, attackers can exploit a SQL Injection vulnerability. This security flaw can be triggered remotely, posing a significant risk to the application.

The Impact of CVE-2023-4871

The impact of CVE-2023-4871 is severe, as it exposes the Contact Manager App to SQL Injection attacks. With successful exploitation, attackers can gain unauthorized access to the application's database, potentially extracting sensitive information or causing data loss.

Technical Details of CVE-2023-4871

CVE-2023-4871 has been assigned a base score of 6.3 in CVSS version 3.1, indicating a medium severity level. The vectorString highlights the attack complexity, privileges required, user interface interaction, scope of impact, and confidentiality, integrity, and availability impact.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability in SourceCodester Contact Manager App arises from improper handling of user input in the contact/contactName argument in the delete.php file, leading to SQL Injection possibilities.

Affected Systems and Versions

The SourceCodester Contact Manager App version 1.0 is confirmed to be impacted by CVE-2023-4871. Users of this version are urged to take immediate action to secure their systems.

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers can exploit CVE-2023-4871 by sending crafted input to the contact/contactName parameter within the delete.php file. This manipulation allows malicious actors to inject and execute SQL queries, potentially compromising the application's database.

Mitigation and Prevention

To safeguard systems from the risks associated with CVE-2023-4871, immediate steps should be taken to mitigate the vulnerability and implement long-term security practices.

Immediate Steps to Take

Update the SourceCodester Contact Manager App to a patched version that addresses the SQL Injection vulnerability.
Implement input validation and sanitization measures to prevent unauthorized SQL Injection attempts.
Monitor and log SQL Injection attempts to detect and respond to potential attacks.

Long-Term Security Practices

Stay informed about security vulnerabilities and updates related to the Contact Manager App and its dependencies.
Conduct regular security assessments and penetration testing to identify and address any existing vulnerabilities proactively.
Train developers and system administrators on secure coding practices and security best practices to prevent future vulnerabilities.

Patching and Updates

Seek and apply patches or security updates released by SourceCodester to remediate the SQL Injection vulnerability in Contact Manager App 1.0. Regularly check for software updates and maintain a robust patch management process to keep systems secure.