CVE-2024-51101 is a critical SQL injection vulnerability identified in the PHPGURUKUL Restaurant Table Booking System, a web application built with PHP and MySQL. The vulnerability exists in the /rtbs/check-status.php endpoint, specifically through the 'searchdata' parameter. SQL injection (CWE-89) occurs when untrusted input is improperly sanitized and directly incorporated into SQL queries, allowing an attacker to manipulate the database query logic. In this case, the 'searchdata' parameter is vulnerable to injection, enabling an attacker to execute arbitrary SQL commands against the backend database without any authentication or user interaction. The CVSS v3.1 base score of 9.8 (AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H) indicates that this vulnerability is remotely exploitable over the network with low attack complexity, requires no privileges or user interaction, and can fully compromise confidentiality, integrity, and availability of the affected system. Exploitation could allow attackers to extract sensitive customer data, modify or delete booking records, or disrupt service availability. Although no known exploits are currently reported in the wild, the severity and ease of exploitation make this a high-risk vulnerability. The lack of vendor or product details and absence of patches suggest that this software may be niche or custom-developed, potentially with limited security support or updates. Organizations using this booking system should consider it a critical security risk requiring immediate attention.

For European organizations, the impact of CVE-2024-51101 can be significant, especially for hospitality businesses such as restaurants, cafes, and hotels that rely on the PHPGURUKUL Restaurant Table Booking System or similar PHP/MySQL-based booking platforms. Exploitation could lead to unauthorized access to customer personal data, including names, contact details, and booking information, violating GDPR and other data protection regulations, resulting in legal penalties and reputational damage. Integrity compromise could allow attackers to alter booking statuses or inject fraudulent reservations, disrupting business operations and customer trust. Availability impact could cause denial of service, preventing legitimate customers from making or checking reservations, leading to revenue loss. Additionally, attackers could leverage the compromised system as a pivot point for further network infiltration. The critical nature of this vulnerability necessitates urgent remediation to protect customer data and maintain operational continuity within European hospitality sectors.

1. Immediate mitigation involves applying input validation and parameterized queries (prepared statements) to the 'searchdata' parameter to prevent SQL injection. 2. If source code access is available, refactor the /rtbs/check-status.php script to use secure database access methods such as PDO or MySQLi with bound parameters. 3. In the absence of patches, consider deploying a Web Application Firewall (WAF) with rules to detect and block SQL injection payloads targeting the vulnerable endpoint. 4. Conduct a thorough security audit of the entire booking system to identify and remediate other potential injection points or vulnerabilities. 5. Implement strict access controls and monitor database logs for suspicious queries indicative of exploitation attempts. 6. Regularly back up booking data to enable recovery in case of data tampering or loss. 7. If feasible, migrate to a more secure and actively maintained booking platform with proven security practices. 8. Educate staff on recognizing signs of compromise and establish incident response procedures to quickly address any exploitation.