CVE-2024-37799 identifies a SQL injection vulnerability in CodeProjects Restaurant Reservation System version 1.0. The vulnerability exists in the view_reservations.php file, specifically through the reserv_id parameter, which is improperly sanitized. This allows an attacker with authenticated access and low privileges to inject arbitrary SQL commands into the backend database query. The injection can lead to unauthorized reading or modification of reservation data, compromising confidentiality and integrity of the system's data. The vulnerability does not affect system availability and does not require user interaction, but it does require the attacker to be authenticated, which limits the attack surface to users with some level of access. The CVSS 3.1 base score is 5.4, reflecting medium severity due to the ease of exploitation (low attack complexity), network attack vector, and limited privileges required. No patches or known exploits are currently available, indicating that organizations must proactively implement mitigations. The root cause is a classic CWE-89 SQL Injection flaw, typically remediated by using parameterized queries or prepared statements and proper input validation. Since the affected product is a niche restaurant reservation system, the scope is limited to organizations using this software, but the impact on data confidentiality and integrity can be significant within those environments.

The primary impact of this vulnerability is unauthorized access and potential manipulation of reservation data within the affected restaurant reservation system. This can lead to leakage of sensitive customer information, unauthorized changes to reservation records, and potential disruption of business operations through data integrity compromise. While availability is not directly impacted, the loss of data integrity and confidentiality can erode customer trust and lead to regulatory compliance issues, especially if personal identifiable information (PII) is exposed. Organizations relying on this system may face operational disruptions and reputational damage. Since exploitation requires authentication, the threat is somewhat mitigated but still significant in environments where many users have access to the system. The lack of known exploits in the wild currently reduces immediate risk but does not eliminate the potential for future attacks once exploit code becomes available.

To mitigate this vulnerability, organizations should immediately review and sanitize all inputs to the reserv_id parameter in view_reservations.php. Implementing parameterized queries or prepared statements is critical to prevent SQL injection. Conduct a thorough code audit of the entire application to identify and remediate similar injection flaws. Restrict user privileges to the minimum necessary to reduce the risk posed by authenticated attackers. Monitor logs for unusual database query patterns that may indicate attempted exploitation. If possible, isolate the reservation system behind additional security controls such as web application firewalls (WAFs) configured to detect and block SQL injection attempts. Since no official patch is available, consider applying virtual patching techniques or temporarily disabling the vulnerable functionality if feasible. Educate users with access about the risks and encourage strong authentication practices to limit unauthorized access. Finally, maintain regular backups of reservation data to enable recovery in case of data tampering.