CVE-2026-14694: SQL Injection in SourceCodester Multi-Vendor Grocery System

Technical summary

The vulnerability resides in the cancel_order function within classes/Master.php. The component fails to properly sanitize the ID parameter when processing POST requests, allowing SQL injection (CWE-89). The attack vector is network-accessible and requires authentication but no user interaction. The flaw stems from insufficient input validation on a parameter that directly influences SQL query construction, enabling an attacker to break out of the intended query context and execute arbitrary SQL.

Business impact

Organizations running this grocery management system face risk of unauthorized data access and modification. Customer order records, pricing information, and potentially payment-related data could be compromised. The requirement for authentication limits exposure to insider threats and accounts with compromised credentials. However, the ability to modify or delete data poses significant operational and compliance risks, particularly regarding order fulfillment accuracy and audit trails.

Affected systems

SourceCodester Multi-Vendor Online Grocery Management System version 1.0 is confirmed vulnerable. Organizations should verify all instances of this application, particularly those exposed to authenticated users over untrusted networks. The affected component is the POST Parameter Handler in classes/Master.php, specifically the cancel_order function.

Exploitability

Exploitation requires valid authentication credentials and network access to the application. An attacker must be able to reach the order cancellation endpoint and possess valid login. The attack is straightforward to execute once authenticated—no complex payload crafting or race conditions are required. Public disclosure of the vulnerability means proof-of-concept code or exploitation techniques may be circulating, increasing practical risk for unpatched instances.

Remediation

Immediate steps include: (1) Apply security patches from SourceCodester if available, (2) Implement parameterized queries or prepared statements in the cancel_order function to prevent SQL injection, (3) Add input validation to reject unexpected ID formats, and (4) Apply the principle of least privilege to database accounts used by the application. Organizations unable to patch immediately should consider restricting access to the affected function or taking the application offline pending remediation.

Patch guidance

Contact SourceCodester directly or check their official advisory page for available patches addressing CVE-2026-14694. Verify patch applicability to your exact deployment version and environment. Test patches in a non-production environment before deployment. If patches are unavailable, consider using a Web Application Firewall (WAF) rule to detect and block SQL injection payloads in the order cancellation requests as a temporary control.

Detection guidance

Monitor application logs for unusual SQL error messages or unexpected database activity following order cancellation requests. Look for POST requests to the order cancellation endpoint containing special SQL characters (quotation marks, semicolons, UNION, SELECT, etc.) in the ID parameter. Database audit logs should be reviewed for unexpected queries, data access patterns, or modifications triggered from the web application user context. Network-level monitoring can flag requests with encoded SQL syntax.

Why prioritize this

Although the CVSS score of 6.3 is moderate, the combination of public disclosure, straightforward exploitation path for authenticated users, and potential for data breach or manipulation elevates practical risk. Organizations with exposed instances or those where internal users have broad database access should prioritize remediation. The integrity and confidentiality impacts outweigh the score alone in high-value environments.

Risk score, explained

The CVSS 3.1 score of 6.3 (MEDIUM) reflects an authenticated attack requiring valid credentials (PR:L), network accessibility (AV:N), low attack complexity (AC:L), and impacts on confidentiality, integrity, and availability (C:L/I:L/A:L) within the scope of the application. The score does not fully capture organizational risk if the application holds sensitive customer or financial data; context-specific risk may be higher.

Frequently asked questions