CVE-2026-4574

Vulnerability

Overview

CVE-2026-4574 describes a SQL injection vulnerability in SourceCodester Simple E-learning System version 1.0. The flaw resides in the user profile update handler, specifically within the firstName parameter of a POST request. The application fails to sanitize user input before incorporating it into a SQL query, enabling SQL queries, allowing an authenticated attacker to inject arbitrary SQL commands [1].

Exploitation

Details

Exploitation requires valid user credentials to access the profile update functionality. Once authenticated, an attacker can submit crafted payloads via the firstName parameter. The reference demonstrates that both error-based and time-based blind SQL injection techniques are viable, with payloads such as firstName=James' AND EXTRACTVALUE(4608,CONCAT(0x5c,0x7176627871,(SELECT (ELT(4608=4608,1))),0x717a707671))-- CVao triggering database errors, and firstName=James' AND (SELECT 7179 FROM (SELECT(SELECT(SLEEP(5)))oHFn)-- CCxI causing time delays [1]. Automated tools like sqlmap can be used to exploit the vulnerability remotely [1].

Impact

Successful exploitation enables an attacker to perform boolean-based blind, time-based blind, and error-based SQL injection. This can lead to unauthorized access to the underlying database, exfiltration of sensitive data (such as user credentials or course information), and potential modification of database contents [1].

Mitigation

Status

As of the publication date (2026-03-23), the vendor (SourceCodester) has not released a patch for this vulnerability. The exploit is publicly available, increasing the risk of active exploitation. Users of Simple E-learning System 1.0 should apply input validation and parameterized queries as a workaround, or consider upgrading to a patched version if one becomes available [1][2].