CVE-2024-0463 is a SQL Injection vulnerability identified in version 1.0 of the code-projects Online Faculty Clearance application. The vulnerability exists in the HTTP POST request handler within the /production/admin_view_info.php file, specifically through manipulation of the 'haydi' parameter. An attacker can exploit this flaw by injecting malicious SQL code into the 'haydi' argument, which is then executed by the backend database. This can lead to unauthorized access, data leakage, data modification, or disruption of service. The vulnerability is remotely exploitable without user interaction but requires some level of privileges (PR:L) to execute. The CVSS v3.1 base score is 6.3, indicating a medium severity level, with impacts on confidentiality, integrity, and availability rated as low. The attack vector is network-based with low attack complexity and no user interaction needed. Although no public exploits are currently known in the wild, the vulnerability has been publicly disclosed, increasing the risk of exploitation. The lack of available patches or mitigations from the vendor further elevates the concern for organizations using this software. The CWE classification is CWE-89, which corresponds to SQL Injection, a well-known and critical class of vulnerabilities that can lead to severe consequences if exploited.

For European organizations, particularly educational institutions or administrative bodies using the Online Faculty Clearance system, this vulnerability poses a significant risk. Exploitation could lead to unauthorized disclosure of sensitive faculty or student data, manipulation of clearance records, or denial of service, disrupting academic operations. Given the critical nature of educational data and compliance requirements under GDPR, any data breach could result in regulatory penalties and reputational damage. The medium CVSS score suggests that while exploitation requires some privileges, the potential for lateral movement or privilege escalation exists if attackers gain initial access. The remote exploitability without user interaction increases the threat surface, especially if the application is exposed to the internet or accessible within internal networks. The absence of patches means organizations must rely on compensating controls, increasing operational overhead and risk.

Organizations should immediately conduct a thorough audit of all instances of the Online Faculty Clearance 1.0 application to identify exposure. As no official patches are available, mitigation should focus on restricting access to the vulnerable endpoint via network segmentation and firewall rules, limiting HTTP POST requests to trusted IP addresses only. Implementing Web Application Firewalls (WAFs) with custom rules to detect and block SQL injection patterns targeting the 'haydi' parameter is critical. Additionally, input validation and parameterized queries should be enforced if organizations have the capability to modify the source code. Monitoring and logging all access to /production/admin_view_info.php for anomalous activity can provide early detection of exploitation attempts. Organizations should also consider isolating the application from sensitive databases or migrating to updated, supported software versions where possible. Finally, staff training on secure coding and incident response preparedness will help mitigate risks associated with this and similar vulnerabilities.