CVE-2026-13486: SQL Injection in SourceCodester Timetabling System 1.0 – High Severity Vulnerability

Technical summary

CVE-2026-13486 is a remote SQL injection vulnerability affecting SourceCodester Class and Exam Timetabling System 1.0. The vulnerable endpoint /preview6.php fails to properly sanitize user input in the 'course_year_section' parameter before passing it to a database query. This classic CWE-89 SQL injection flaw is compounded by insufficient input validation (CWE-74), allowing attackers to execute arbitrary SQL statements with database-level privileges. The attack vector is network-accessible and requires no prior authentication or user interaction.

Business impact

Educational institutions relying on this timetabling system face immediate risk of data breach, unauthorized access to student records, course information, and scheduling data. An attacker could exfiltrate personally identifiable information (PII), tamper with academic schedules affecting institutional operations, or delete critical records. Public disclosure of exploits means threat actors can readily weaponize this vulnerability. Organizations should assume active exploitation is likely if this system is internet-facing.

Affected systems

SourceCodester Class and Exam Timetabling System version 1.0 is affected. The vulnerability specifically impacts instances where /preview6.php is deployed and accessible. No patch version information is currently available in vendor disclosures; verify the latest status directly with SourceCodester or through their official security advisory channels.

Exploitability

This vulnerability is highly exploitable. Attack complexity is low (no special conditions required), no authentication is needed, and the attack can be performed remotely over the network. Public exploit code has been disclosed, removing the barrier of proof-of-concept development. Any threat actor with basic SQL injection knowledge can weaponize this issue, making it a priority target for opportunistic attacks and automated scanning.

Remediation

Immediate patching or application removal is strongly recommended. Contact SourceCodester directly for security updates addressing CVE-2026-13486. If a patch is unavailable, consider taking the affected system offline until remediation is available, or implement compensating controls such as Web Application Firewall (WAF) rules to block SQL injection patterns in the course_year_section parameter. Input validation and parameterized queries should be applied as permanent fixes.

Patch guidance

Check the SourceCodester vendor advisory and security portal for available patches to SourceCodester Class and Exam Timetabling System. Due to the high CVSS score (7.3) and public exploit availability, prioritize patch deployment immediately upon release. If the vendor has not released a patch, contact their support team for guidance or migration options. Test any patch in a non-production environment before deployment.

Detection guidance

Monitor web server logs and database query logs for anomalous SQL syntax in requests to /preview6.php, particularly those containing SQL keywords (UNION, SELECT, DROP, INSERT) in the course_year_section parameter. Deploy WAF rules to detect and block common SQL injection payloads. Monitor database access patterns for unauthorized queries or unusual privilege escalation attempts. Implement intrusion detection signatures targeting SQL injection attacks against this endpoint once publicly available.

Why prioritize this

This vulnerability merits high priority due to its CVSS 7.3 (HIGH) score, public exploit availability, network accessibility, lack of authentication requirements, and direct impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability. Educational institutions storing sensitive student and institutional data should treat this as a critical risk requiring immediate remediation.

Risk score, explained

The CVSS 3.1 score of 7.3 reflects the combination of high attack vectors (AV:N—network-accessible, AC:L—low complexity, PR:N—no privileges required, UI:N—no user interaction) and moderate-to-high impact (C:L—limited confidentiality breach, I:L—limited integrity compromise, A:L—limited availability impact). While CVSS captures technical severity, public exploit availability and targeting of educational institutions elevate real-world risk significantly.

Frequently asked questions