CVE-2024-42566 identifies a SQL injection vulnerability in a School Management System, specifically through the password parameter in the login.php script. SQL injection (CWE-89) occurs when untrusted input is improperly sanitized and directly included in SQL queries, allowing attackers to manipulate backend database commands. In this case, the password parameter is vulnerable, enabling an attacker with low privileges to remotely execute arbitrary SQL queries without requiring user interaction. The vulnerability has a CVSS 3.1 base score of 8.8, reflecting its high impact and ease of exploitation over the network (AV:N), with low attack complexity (AC:L), requiring only low privileges (PR:L), and no user interaction (UI:N). The scope is unchanged (S:U), but the impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability is high (C:H/I:H/A:H), meaning attackers can exfiltrate sensitive data, alter or delete records, or disrupt system operations. Although no public exploits are currently known, the vulnerability's nature and scoring suggest it could be weaponized quickly. The lack of specified affected versions and absence of patch links indicate that either the vulnerability is newly disclosed or the vendor has not yet released a fix. This vulnerability is critical for educational institutions relying on this system, as it could expose student records, grades, and administrative data to compromise.

The SQL injection vulnerability in the School Management System poses a severe risk to organizations worldwide, especially educational institutions. Exploitation can lead to unauthorized disclosure of sensitive student and staff information, including personal identification and academic records, violating privacy regulations such as FERPA or GDPR. Attackers could manipulate or delete data, undermining data integrity and trustworthiness of the system. Additionally, the vulnerability can be leveraged to execute denial-of-service attacks, rendering the system unavailable and disrupting critical educational operations. The ease of remote exploitation without user interaction increases the likelihood of attacks, potentially leading to widespread breaches. Organizations may face reputational damage, legal penalties, and operational downtime if exploited. The absence of known exploits currently provides a window for proactive mitigation, but the high CVSS score indicates urgent attention is needed.

To mitigate CVE-2024-42566, organizations should immediately audit the login.php password parameter and other input fields for proper input validation and sanitization. Implement parameterized queries or prepared statements to prevent SQL injection attacks effectively. Restrict database user permissions to the minimum necessary, avoiding use of high-privilege accounts for application connections. Employ Web Application Firewalls (WAFs) with rules designed to detect and block SQL injection payloads targeting the login endpoint. Monitor logs for suspicious login attempts or anomalous SQL errors that may indicate exploitation attempts. Until an official patch is released, consider isolating the affected system from public networks or restricting access to trusted IP addresses. Conduct security awareness training for administrators to recognize and respond to potential exploitation signs. Regularly back up databases and verify backup integrity to enable recovery in case of data corruption or deletion. Engage with the vendor for timely updates and patches, and apply them promptly once available.