CVE-2026-11506: SQL Injection in CodeAstro Leave Management System 1.0

Technical summary

CVE-2026-11506 is a server-side SQL injection flaw (CWE-89, CWE-74) affecting CodeAstro Leave Management System 1.0. The vulnerability exists in /admin/search_staff_for_deletion.php where the Name parameter is not properly sanitized before being incorporated into SQL queries. An authenticated user with admin-level access can craft malicious input to break out of the intended query structure and execute arbitrary SQL. The attack surface is network-accessible, requires valid credentials, and does not require user interaction. Public disclosure has occurred, indicating active awareness in the security community.

Business impact

Exploitation could compromise employee records, payroll data, and system integrity within HR departments relying on this application. A successful attack may lead to unauthorized viewing or modification of staff information, deletion of critical records, or lateral movement into backend databases. Organizations using this system face potential regulatory exposure (depending on jurisdiction) if employee data is accessed or exfiltrated, as well as operational disruption and loss of trust in HR system data integrity.

Affected systems

CodeAstro Leave Management System version 1.0 is the confirmed affected product. Organizations using this exact version, particularly in environments with multiple administrators or shared credentials, face direct risk. Administrators should inventory all instances of this software to determine exposure scope.

Exploitability

The vulnerability is exploitable by anyone with valid administrative credentials. While the barrier to initial access is moderate (requiring authentication), once inside the admin panel, exploitation is straightforward and does not require user interaction, special privileges, or complex techniques. Public disclosure increases the likelihood of active exploitation attempts. The CVSS 3.1 score of 6.3 (MEDIUM severity) reflects the authentication requirement but acknowledges the real impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability.

Remediation

Immediate action: Apply security patches from CodeAstro once available; verify the publisher's advisory for specific version availability. Interim controls include restricting admin panel access by IP allowlist, enforcing strong unique passwords for all administrative accounts, and implementing database-level access controls to minimize lateral damage. Monitor admin panel logs for suspicious search queries or unusual database activity.

Patch guidance

Contact CodeAstro directly to determine if a patched version of Leave Management System 1.0 has been released. Verify patch availability and testing compatibility with your deployment before applying. If no patch is forthcoming, plan migration to a maintained alternative or apply the interim controls listed above. Document all patch testing and deployment for audit purposes.

Detection guidance

Monitor /admin/search_staff_for_deletion.php for requests containing SQL keywords (SELECT, UNION, OR, comment syntax) in the Name parameter. Enable and review database query logs for anomalous syntax or execution times. Check admin user login times and search activity for patterns inconsistent with normal HR operations. Web application firewalls (WAF) configured for SQL injection signatures should flag malicious payloads before they reach the database.

Why prioritize this

Although CVSS 6.3 places this in the MEDIUM range, prioritize it above routine MEDIUM vulnerabilities because: (1) the code is already public, (2) exploitation requires only admin access—common in smaller organizations with credential reuse, (3) HR systems hold high-value sensitive data, and (4) there is no indication of vendor responsiveness or patch availability as of the publication date.

Risk score, explained

CVSS 3.1 score of 6.3 reflects a network-accessible flaw requiring authentication (PR:L), no user interaction (UI:N), low attack complexity (AC:L), and impact to confidentiality, integrity, and availability within the affected scope. The score appropriately captures the moderate threat posed by an authenticated SQL injection. Real-world risk may be higher in environments where admin credentials are weak or shared, or where sensitive employee records are stored without additional encryption.

Frequently asked questions