CVE-2018-25167 Overview
CVE-2018-25167 is a SQL Injection vulnerability affecting Net-Billetterie version 2.9, a ticketing and billing application. The vulnerability exists in the login parameter of login.inc.php, allowing unauthenticated attackers to execute arbitrary SQL queries against the backend database. By submitting malicious SQL code through the login POST parameter, attackers can extract sensitive database information including usernames, passwords, and system credentials.
Critical Impact
Unauthenticated SQL injection enabling full database compromise, credential theft, and potential administrative access to the application.
Affected Products
- Net-Billetterie 2.9
- Net-Billetterie versions prior to 2.9 (potentially affected)
Discovery Timeline
- 2026-03-06 - CVE-2018-25167 published to NVD
- 2026-03-09 - Last updated in NVD database
Technical Details for CVE-2018-25167
Vulnerability Analysis
This SQL Injection vulnerability (CWE-89) occurs due to improper neutralization of special elements used in SQL commands within the authentication mechanism. The login.inc.php file processes user-supplied input from the login POST parameter without adequate sanitization or parameterization, allowing attackers to inject malicious SQL syntax directly into database queries.
The network-based attack vector requires no authentication or user interaction, making it particularly dangerous for internet-facing deployments. Successful exploitation can lead to unauthorized access to sensitive database contents, including user credentials, personal information, and potentially full database compromise. The vulnerability enables high confidentiality impact through data extraction, with potential for data manipulation.
Root Cause
The root cause of this vulnerability is the failure to properly validate, sanitize, or parameterize user input in the authentication handler. The login.inc.php script directly concatenates user-supplied input from the login POST parameter into SQL queries without using prepared statements or proper escaping mechanisms. This classic SQL injection pattern allows attacker-controlled data to be interpreted as SQL commands rather than data values.
Attack Vector
The attack is conducted over the network against the web application's login endpoint. An unauthenticated attacker submits a crafted HTTP POST request to the login page, injecting SQL syntax into the login parameter. The malicious payload is processed by login.inc.php and executed against the database, allowing the attacker to:
- Bypass authentication controls
- Extract database schema information
- Dump sensitive data including usernames and password hashes
- Potentially modify or delete database records
- Access system credentials stored in the database
Technical details regarding exploitation methods can be found in the Exploit-DB #45863 entry and the VulnCheck Security Advisory.
Detection Methods for CVE-2018-25167
Indicators of Compromise
- Unusual SQL syntax or special characters (', --, OR 1=1, UNION SELECT) in web server access logs targeting login.inc.php
- Multiple failed login attempts followed by successful authentication from the same source
- Unexpected database query patterns or errors in database logs
- Evidence of data exfiltration or bulk data access from user/credential tables
Detection Strategies
- Deploy Web Application Firewall (WAF) rules to detect and block SQL injection patterns in POST requests to login.inc.php
- Implement intrusion detection system (IDS) signatures for common SQL injection payloads
- Monitor database query logs for anomalous or unauthorized SELECT statements, especially those containing UNION or information_schema references
- Enable verbose logging on the web application to capture suspicious authentication attempts
Monitoring Recommendations
- Continuously monitor web server logs for requests containing SQL metacharacters in login parameters
- Set up alerts for database errors indicating SQL syntax issues, which may indicate injection attempts
- Track authentication success/failure ratios and investigate anomalies
- Review database audit logs for unauthorized data access patterns
How to Mitigate CVE-2018-25167
Immediate Actions Required
- Take vulnerable Net-Billetterie 2.9 instances offline or restrict access to trusted networks only
- Implement WAF rules to filter SQL injection attempts targeting the login endpoint
- Review database logs for evidence of prior exploitation and potential data theft
- Rotate all database credentials and user passwords as a precautionary measure
- Consider deploying network-level access controls to limit exposure
Patch Information
No vendor patch information is currently available for this vulnerability. Organizations should monitor vendor communications for security updates. In the absence of an official patch, consider migrating to alternative ticketing solutions or implementing robust compensating controls.
Workarounds
- Deploy a Web Application Firewall (WAF) configured with SQL injection detection rules in front of the application
- Restrict network access to the application using firewall rules, limiting exposure to trusted IP ranges only
- If source code access is available, implement parameterized queries (prepared statements) in login.inc.php to prevent SQL injection
- Consider placing the application behind a VPN or implementing IP-based access restrictions
- Disable the application entirely if it is not business-critical until a proper fix is available
For additional technical details, refer to the Exploit-DB #45863 entry and the VulnCheck Security Advisory.
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
