CVE-2024-57687 is an OS Command Injection vulnerability identified in the PHPGurukul Land Record System version 1.0, specifically within the /landrecordsys/admin/dashboard.php script. The vulnerability arises due to improper sanitization of the 'Cookie' GET request parameter, which is directly passed to system-level command execution functions. This lack of input validation allows a remote attacker to inject arbitrary operating system commands, leading to unauthorized code execution on the server hosting the application. The vulnerability requires no authentication or user interaction, making it highly exploitable over the network. The CVSS v3.1 base score of 9.8 reflects the critical nature of this flaw, with attack vector being network-based, low attack complexity, no privileges required, and no user interaction needed. The impact includes full compromise of confidentiality, integrity, and availability of the affected system. Although no patches or fixes have been published yet, the vulnerability is publicly disclosed and should be treated as a high priority. The CWE-78 classification confirms this is a classic OS Command Injection issue, a well-known and dangerous class of vulnerabilities that can lead to complete system takeover.

The potential impact of CVE-2024-57687 is severe for organizations using the PHPGurukul Land Record System. Successful exploitation allows attackers to execute arbitrary commands on the server, potentially leading to full system compromise. This can result in unauthorized access to sensitive land record data, alteration or deletion of records, disruption of land management services, and lateral movement within the network. Given that land record systems are often critical infrastructure for government and real estate sectors, exploitation could undermine legal property ownership, cause financial losses, and erode public trust. The vulnerability’s ease of exploitation and lack of authentication requirements increase the risk of widespread attacks. Additionally, attackers could deploy malware, establish persistent backdoors, or use the compromised system as a pivot point for further attacks on connected networks. The absence of known exploits in the wild currently provides a window for proactive defense, but the critical severity demands immediate attention.

To mitigate CVE-2024-57687, organizations should immediately implement strict input validation and sanitization on all parameters, especially those derived from user input such as the 'Cookie' GET parameter. Employing allowlists for acceptable input values and escaping or rejecting suspicious characters can prevent command injection. Isolate the affected application server from critical internal networks to limit potential lateral movement. Monitor logs and network traffic for unusual command execution patterns or unexpected outbound connections. If possible, disable or restrict the use of system-level command execution functions within the application code. Organizations should also consider deploying web application firewalls (WAFs) with custom rules to detect and block injection attempts targeting this vulnerability. Since no official patches are available, contacting the vendor for updates or applying community-developed fixes is recommended. Regular backups of critical data and incident response plans should be updated to prepare for potential exploitation. Finally, restrict access to the admin dashboard to trusted IP addresses or via VPN to reduce exposure.