CVE-2024-25210 is a critical SQL injection vulnerability identified in Simple Expense Tracker version 1.0. The vulnerability exists in the /endpoint/delete_expense.php endpoint, specifically through the 'expense' parameter. SQL injection (CWE-89) vulnerabilities allow an attacker to manipulate backend SQL queries by injecting malicious input, potentially leading to unauthorized data access, data modification, or deletion. This vulnerability has a CVSS 3.1 base score of 9.8, indicating a critical severity level. The vector metrics show that the attack can be performed remotely (AV:N) without any privileges (PR:N) or user interaction (UI:N), making it highly exploitable. The impact affects confidentiality, integrity, and availability (C:H/I:H/A:H), meaning an attacker can fully compromise the database, extract sensitive information, alter or delete records, or disrupt service availability. No patches or vendor information are currently available, and no known exploits have been reported in the wild yet. The vulnerability was published on February 14, 2024, and is recognized by CISA as enriched intelligence, highlighting its importance. Given the nature of the application (expense tracking), the database likely contains sensitive financial data, user credentials, and transaction records, making exploitation particularly damaging.

For European organizations, this vulnerability poses a significant risk, especially for small and medium enterprises (SMEs) or startups using Simple Expense Tracker or similar custom-built financial management tools without adequate security controls. Exploitation could lead to exposure of sensitive financial data, including personal identifiable information (PII) and transaction details, which would violate GDPR regulations and could result in substantial fines and reputational damage. The ability to delete or modify expense records could disrupt financial reporting and auditing processes, impacting business operations and compliance. Additionally, attackers could leverage this vulnerability as a foothold for further network intrusion or lateral movement within the organization’s infrastructure. The lack of authentication requirements and user interaction makes it easier for attackers to automate exploitation attempts, increasing the risk of widespread attacks if the software is widely deployed in Europe.

Organizations should immediately audit their use of Simple Expense Tracker or similar applications for the presence of the vulnerable endpoint. Since no official patch is currently available, immediate mitigation steps include implementing web application firewalls (WAFs) with specific rules to detect and block SQL injection attempts targeting the 'expense' parameter. Input validation and parameterized queries should be enforced at the application level to prevent injection. Network segmentation can limit the exposure of the database server. Monitoring and logging of database queries and application logs should be enhanced to detect suspicious activity. Organizations should also consider replacing or upgrading the vulnerable software with a secure alternative or custom patching if possible. Conducting penetration testing and code reviews focused on injection flaws is recommended. Finally, organizations must prepare incident response plans to quickly address any exploitation attempts.