CVE-2018-25165 Overview
CVE-2018-25165 is an SQL injection vulnerability affecting Galaxy Forces MMORPG version 0.5.8. This vulnerability allows authenticated attackers to execute arbitrary SQL queries by injecting malicious code through the type parameter in POST requests to ads.php. Successful exploitation enables attackers to extract sensitive database information including usernames, database names, and version details.
Critical Impact
Authenticated attackers can leverage this SQL injection flaw to extract sensitive database information, potentially compromising user credentials and exposing the underlying database infrastructure.
Affected Products
- Galaxy Forces MMORPG 0.5.8
Discovery Timeline
- 2026-03-06 - CVE-2018-25165 published to NVD
- 2026-03-09 - Last updated in NVD database
Technical Details for CVE-2018-25165
Vulnerability Analysis
This SQL injection vulnerability (CWE-89) exists in the ads.php endpoint of Galaxy Forces MMORPG version 0.5.8. The application fails to properly sanitize user-supplied input in the type parameter before incorporating it into SQL queries. This lack of input validation allows authenticated users to inject malicious SQL statements that are then executed by the database engine.
The vulnerability requires authentication to exploit, meaning an attacker must first obtain valid credentials to access the vulnerable endpoint. Once authenticated, the attacker can craft malicious POST requests containing SQL injection payloads in the type parameter to interact directly with the backend database.
Root Cause
The root cause of this vulnerability is improper input validation and lack of parameterized queries in the ads.php file. The application directly concatenates user-supplied input from the type parameter into SQL statements without sanitization or the use of prepared statements. This allows attackers to break out of the intended query context and execute arbitrary SQL commands.
Attack Vector
The attack is network-based, requiring the attacker to send specially crafted HTTP POST requests to the ads.php endpoint. The attacker must be authenticated to the application to access this endpoint. By injecting SQL syntax into the type parameter, attackers can manipulate the database query to:
- Extract database schema information
- Retrieve usernames and potentially password hashes
- Query database version details
- Access other sensitive data stored in the database
The exploitation technique typically involves union-based or error-based SQL injection to enumerate database contents. Technical details and proof-of-concept information are available in the Exploit-DB #45864 entry.
Detection Methods for CVE-2018-25165
Indicators of Compromise
- Unusual or malformed POST requests to ads.php containing SQL syntax characters such as single quotes, UNION statements, or comment sequences
- Database error messages appearing in application logs or responses indicating SQL syntax errors
- Abnormal database query patterns showing data extraction attempts from system tables
- Increased authentication attempts followed by requests to the ads.php endpoint
Detection Strategies
- Implement web application firewall (WAF) rules to detect SQL injection patterns in the type parameter of requests to ads.php
- Monitor application logs for requests containing typical SQL injection payloads such as UNION SELECT, --, /**/, or ' OR '1'='1
- Deploy database activity monitoring to identify unusual query patterns or unauthorized access to system tables
- Configure intrusion detection systems (IDS) with signatures for SQL injection attack patterns
Monitoring Recommendations
- Enable detailed logging on the web server to capture full POST request bodies for forensic analysis
- Implement real-time alerting for requests to ads.php containing suspicious SQL keywords
- Monitor database query logs for queries returning database metadata or user credential tables
- Review authentication logs for patterns of credential stuffing or account compromise preceding exploitation attempts
How to Mitigate CVE-2018-25165
Immediate Actions Required
- Restrict access to the ads.php endpoint until a patch is applied or the vulnerability is remediated
- Implement input validation on the type parameter to allow only expected values
- Deploy web application firewall rules to block SQL injection attempts targeting this endpoint
- Review database user permissions to limit the potential impact of SQL injection attacks
Patch Information
No vendor patch information is currently available in the CVE data. Organizations should consult the VulnCheck Advisory for the latest remediation guidance and monitor for official vendor updates.
Workarounds
- Implement parameterized queries or prepared statements in the ads.php file to prevent SQL injection
- Apply strict input validation using allowlists for the type parameter, rejecting any values not in the expected set
- Use a web application firewall configured with SQL injection detection rules as a temporary protective measure
- Consider disabling or removing the ads.php functionality if it is not critical to application operation
- Implement the principle of least privilege for database accounts used by the application to minimize potential damage from successful exploitation
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
