External risk intelligence

Simple Task Managing System SQL Injection Vulnerability

CVE advisorySeverity: CRITICAL (CVSS 9.8)

CVE-2022-40030

This is a web-based application designed to be deployed as a web service. Vulnerabilities in PHP-based web applications that handle input via URL parameters are typically reachable over the public internet when deployed in standard web hosting environments.

SQL Injection

Simple Task Managing System Project Simple Task Managing System

1.0

Halo Surface Signal: 4 out of 5 — likely to be public-facing.

External exposure likelihood

Horizon Alert

Summary of the vulnerability and why it matters

A critical vulnerability has been identified in a task management system that could allow unauthorized access to sensitive information or disruption of services. The issue lies within a component that handles requests over the network, potentially exposing the system to external threats without requiring any prior authentication.

Sensitive data may be exposed or corrupted.
This affects systems accessible online.
Confirm relevance and evaluate potential exposure.

Attack Path

How an attacker could exploit the issue

An attacker can exploit this vulnerability by sending a specially crafted request to the affected web application. This request targets the `changeStatus.php` script and manipulates the `bookId` parameter. If successful, this could allow an attacker to read, modify, or delete sensitive data stored in the system's database, as well as potentially execute arbitrary code.

No authentication required to access.
SQL injection via `bookId` parameter.
Data compromise and code execution risk.

Live Threat

Current exploitation, exposure, and threat context

A SQL injection vulnerability in the changeStatus.php script of the Simple Task Managing System could allow an unauthenticated attacker to manipulate the application's database by injecting malicious SQL code through the `bookId` parameter. This could potentially lead to unauthorized access, modification, or deletion of the system's data.

Database integrity and confidentiality.
Via specially crafted network requests.
Unauthorized data access and modification.

Operational Fix

Recommended remediation, mitigation, and detection steps

The technical leader or platform team responsible for the Simple Task Managing System application should take the lead on this issue. The first practical step is to confirm where this system is deployed, assess its exposure and criticality, identify the system's accountable owner, and then prioritize remediation activities based on the identified risk.

Application owners, confirm system presence and exposure.
Verify business criticality and system reachability.
Plan remediation based on assessed risk.

Supplementary metadata

CVSS vector

Validate whether this threat affects your internet-facing exposure.

Halo Threat Intelligence helps prioritize remediation with Halo Surface Signal and H/A/L/O context. Start exposure validation with a free external attack surface trial.

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Frequently asked questions

What is the Simple Task Managing System?

Simple Task Managing System is a web-based application built using PHP and MySQL. It is typically used for tracking and organizing project tasks. It is designed for deployment as a web service, meaning it runs on a server and is accessed through a browser to help users manage their day-to-day work activities.

What is the weakness in CVE-2022-40030?

This CVE involves a SQL injection vulnerability, categorized as CWE-89. This means the application fails to properly clean or validate user-provided data before using it in a database query. Because the software does not distinguish between actual task data and malicious instructions, an attacker can manipulate the database commands to access, alter, or remove information.

How can an attacker trigger this vulnerability?

An attacker triggers this issue by sending a specially crafted network request to the 'changeStatus.php' script. They target the 'bookId' parameter to inject unauthorized database commands. Importantly, this flaw does not require the attacker to have a user account or any prior authentication to succeed; the system processes the malicious input automatically.

Why should I care about this vulnerability?

You should care if you have this software deployed, especially if it is accessible via the public internet. According to Halo Surface Signal, because this is a web-based application, it is highly likely to be reachable over the internet in standard hosting environments. If your instance is public-facing, it is exposed to anyone on the web who can reach your server.

How should I respond to this threat?

Your first step is to locate all instances of this software within your infrastructure and determine who is responsible for them. Assess whether these instances are connected to the internet, as that increases the risk. Once you have identified the systems, coordinate with the application owners to evaluate the business impact and prioritize the necessary security updates or configuration changes to mitigate the risk.

References

www.sourcecodester.com/php/15624/simple-task-managing-system-php-mysqli-free…

Written by Nicholas Merritt

Nicholas Merritt is VP of Security Solutions at Halo Security. With more than 25 years across application security, vulnerability prioritization, and offensive security, he helps teams translate threat data into practical exposure validation and remediation focus. He authors Halo Threat Intelligence CVE advisories using Halo Surface Signal and H/A/L/O context to prioritize internet-facing risk.