CVE-2024-44654 identifies an SQL Injection vulnerability in the PHPGurukul Complaint Management System version 2.0. The vulnerability exists in the reset-password.php script, where the email and mobileno parameters are not properly sanitized or validated before being used in SQL queries. This lack of input validation allows an attacker to inject malicious SQL code, which can alter the intended query logic. Potential consequences include unauthorized retrieval, modification, or deletion of data stored in the backend database. Since the vulnerability is located in the password reset functionality, attackers might exploit it to bypass authentication mechanisms, extract user credentials, or escalate privileges. No CVSS score has been assigned yet, and no public exploits have been reported, indicating it might be newly discovered or not yet widely exploited. The vulnerability is critical because it does not require prior authentication, and user interaction is limited to submitting crafted input to the vulnerable parameters. The absence of patch links suggests that a fix may not yet be publicly available, emphasizing the need for immediate mitigation steps. SQL Injection remains one of the most severe web application vulnerabilities due to its impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability of data.

For European organizations using PHPGurukul Complaint Management System 2.0, this vulnerability poses significant risks. Exploitation could lead to unauthorized access to sensitive complaint data, including personal information such as email addresses and phone numbers, potentially violating GDPR and other privacy regulations. Data integrity could be compromised if attackers modify complaint records or user credentials, undermining trust in complaint handling processes. Availability could also be affected if attackers execute destructive SQL commands, causing service disruptions. Public sector organizations and customer service centers relying on this system may face reputational damage and regulatory penalties if breaches occur. The lack of authentication requirement for exploitation increases the attack surface, making it easier for external attackers to target these systems. Additionally, the vulnerability could be leveraged as a foothold for further network intrusion or lateral movement within an organization’s IT infrastructure.

Immediate mitigation should focus on implementing robust input validation and sanitization for the email and mobileno parameters in reset-password.php. Use parameterized queries or prepared statements to prevent SQL Injection attacks. Until an official patch is released, organizations should consider disabling or restricting access to the password reset functionality or implementing additional verification steps such as CAPTCHA or multi-factor authentication. Conduct thorough code reviews and penetration testing to identify and remediate similar injection points elsewhere in the application. Monitor logs for suspicious activity related to password reset requests. Educate developers on secure coding practices to prevent injection vulnerabilities. Finally, maintain up-to-date backups of complaint management data to enable recovery in case of data tampering or loss.