CVE-2021-44280
📋 TL;DR
CVE-2021-44280 is a critical SQL injection vulnerability in Attendance Management System 1.0 that allows attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands through the makeSafe function in admin/incFunctions.php. This affects all users running the vulnerable version of this PHP-based web application. Successful exploitation could lead to complete database compromise.
💻 Affected Systems
- Attendance Management System
📦 What is this software?
Attendance Management System by Attendance Management System Project
⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact
Worst Case
Full database compromise allowing data theft, modification, or deletion; potential authentication bypass leading to admin account takeover; possible remote code execution via database functions.
Likely Case
Unauthorized database access leading to sensitive information disclosure (employee attendance records, personal data), data manipulation, and potential privilege escalation.
If Mitigated
Limited impact with proper input validation, parameterized queries, and web application firewall blocking SQL injection patterns.
🎯 Exploit Status
Exploitation requires access to admin functions. Public proof-of-concept code exists showing SQL injection techniques.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: Not available
Vendor Advisory: No official vendor advisory found
Restart Required: No
Instructions:
No official patch available. Consider replacing with alternative software or implementing workarounds.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Input Validation Enhancement
allModify the makeSafe function in admin/incFunctions.php to properly sanitize and validate all user inputs using parameterized queries or prepared statements.
Edit admin/incFunctions.php to replace vulnerable makeSafe function with proper input validation
Web Application Firewall
allDeploy a WAF with SQL injection protection rules to filter malicious requests before they reach the application.
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Isolate the application behind a reverse proxy with strict input validation and SQL injection filtering
- Implement network segmentation to restrict access to only authorized users and IP addresses
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check if admin/incFunctions.php contains the vulnerable makeSafe function. Test with SQL injection payloads in admin interface parameters.Check Version:
Check the application version in configuration files or about pages. Look for 'Attendance Management System 1.0' references.Verify Fix Applied:
Verify that parameterized queries are used instead of string concatenation in SQL statements. Test with SQL injection payloads to confirm they're blocked.📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Unusual SQL error messages in application logs
- Multiple failed login attempts followed by SQL syntax in requests
- Requests containing SQL keywords (SELECT, UNION, INSERT, etc.) to admin endpoints
Network Indicators:
- HTTP requests with SQL injection payloads to /admin/* paths
- Unusual database connection patterns from web server
SIEM Query:
source="web_logs" AND (uri="/admin/*" AND (message="*SQL*" OR message="*syntax*" OR message="*union*" OR message="*select*"))🔗 References
- https://github.com/nu11secur1ty/CVE-mitre/tree/main/CVE-2021-44280
- https://www.nu11secur1ty.com/2021/12/cve-2021-44280.html
- https://www.sourcecodester.com/php/14173/attendance-management-system.html#comment-96757
- https://www.sourcecodester.com/php/14173/attendance-management-system.html#comment-96812
- https://github.com/nu11secur1ty/CVE-mitre/tree/main/CVE-2021-44280
- https://www.nu11secur1ty.com/2021/12/cve-2021-44280.html
- https://www.sourcecodester.com/php/14173/attendance-management-system.html#comment-96757
- https://www.sourcecodester.com/php/14173/attendance-management-system.html#comment-96812
