CVE-2018-25180 Overview
CVE-2018-25180 is a SQL Injection vulnerability affecting Maitra version 1.7.2. This vulnerability allows authenticated attackers to execute arbitrary SQL queries by injecting malicious code through the mailid parameter in the outmail and inmail modules. Additionally, attackers can directly download the SQLite database file from the application directory, enabling extraction of sensitive mail tracking data and user credentials.
Critical Impact
Authenticated attackers can compromise database integrity, extract sensitive credentials, and access confidential mail tracking data through SQL injection and direct database file download.
Affected Products
- Maitra 1.7.2
Discovery Timeline
- 2026-03-06 - CVE CVE-2018-25180 published to NVD
- 2026-03-09 - Last updated in NVD database
Technical Details for CVE-2018-25180
Vulnerability Analysis
This SQL Injection vulnerability (CWE-89) exists in Maitra 1.7.2's mail handling functionality. The application fails to properly sanitize user-supplied input to the mailid parameter before incorporating it into SQL queries. This allows authenticated users to manipulate the SQL query structure, potentially extracting unauthorized data or modifying database contents.
The vulnerability affects two distinct modules: outmail and inmail, both of which handle mail-related operations. The use of SQLite as the backend database introduces an additional risk vector, as attackers can directly download the database file from the application directory without exploiting the SQL injection vulnerability itself.
Root Cause
The root cause of this vulnerability is improper input validation and lack of parameterized queries in the application's database layer. The mailid parameter is directly concatenated into SQL statements without proper sanitization or use of prepared statements, allowing attackers to inject arbitrary SQL syntax that the database engine interprets as legitimate query commands.
Attack Vector
The attack requires network access and valid authentication credentials to the Maitra application. Once authenticated, an attacker can craft malicious requests to the outmail or inmail endpoints with SQL injection payloads embedded in the mailid parameter. The injected SQL code executes with the same database privileges as the application, enabling data exfiltration, modification, or deletion.
A secondary attack vector involves directly accessing the SQLite database file from the application directory, bypassing the SQL injection requirement entirely for data extraction purposes.
Detection Methods for CVE-2018-25180
Indicators of Compromise
- Unusual SQL error messages in application logs referencing the mailid parameter
- HTTP requests to outmail or inmail endpoints containing SQL syntax characters such as single quotes, semicolons, or UNION statements
- Direct access attempts to SQLite database files in the application directory
- Anomalous database query patterns or unexpected data access by authenticated users
Detection Strategies
- Implement web application firewall (WAF) rules to detect SQL injection patterns in the mailid parameter
- Monitor application logs for SQL syntax errors or database exceptions originating from mail-related modules
- Deploy file integrity monitoring on the SQLite database file to detect unauthorized access or downloads
- Analyze HTTP request logs for suspicious parameter values containing SQL metacharacters
Monitoring Recommendations
- Enable detailed logging on the outmail and inmail modules to capture all parameter values
- Configure alerting for repeated failed SQL queries or database errors from authenticated sessions
- Monitor network traffic for direct downloads of SQLite database files from the application server
- Implement database activity monitoring to detect unusual query patterns or bulk data extraction
How to Mitigate CVE-2018-25180
Immediate Actions Required
- Restrict access to the Maitra application to trusted users only until patching is completed
- Move the SQLite database file outside the web-accessible directory or implement access controls to prevent direct downloads
- Implement web application firewall rules to block SQL injection attempts targeting the mailid parameter
- Review application logs for evidence of prior exploitation attempts
Patch Information
No vendor patch information is available in the CVE data. Organizations should review the VulnCheck SQL Injection Advisory and Exploit-DB #45841 for the latest mitigation guidance. Consider upgrading to a newer version of Maitra if available, or implementing application-level controls to address the vulnerability.
Workarounds
- Implement input validation to sanitize the mailid parameter, rejecting values containing SQL metacharacters
- Relocate the SQLite database file to a directory outside the web root to prevent direct download attacks
- Apply the principle of least privilege to database access, limiting the application's database permissions
- Use a reverse proxy or WAF to filter malicious requests before they reach the application
- Consider implementing prepared statements or parameterized queries at the application level if source code access is available
# Configuration example - Restrict database file access (Apache)
# Add to .htaccess or Apache configuration
<FilesMatch "\.sqlite$|\.db$">
Require all denied
</FilesMatch>
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
