CVE-2018-25187: Tina4 Stack SQL Injection Vulnerability

CVE-2018-25187 Overview

Tina4 Stack 1.0.3 contains multiple vulnerabilities allowing unauthenticated attackers to access sensitive database files and execute SQL injection attacks. Attackers can directly request the kim.db database file to retrieve user credentials and password hashes, or inject SQL code through the menu endpoint to manipulate database queries.

Critical Impact

Unauthenticated attackers can extract user credentials, password hashes, and manipulate database queries, leading to full compromise of sensitive data and potential unauthorized access to the application.

Affected Products

• Tina4 Stack version 1.0.3

Discovery Timeline

• 2026-03-06 - CVE CVE-2018-25187 published to NVD
• 2026-03-09 - Last updated in NVD database

Technical Details for CVE-2018-25187

Vulnerability Analysis

This vulnerability represents a compound security issue combining two distinct attack vectors within Tina4 Stack 1.0.3. The first vulnerability allows direct access to the kim.db SQLite database file through an unauthenticated HTTP request, exposing stored user credentials and password hashes. The second vulnerability is a classic SQL injection flaw (CWE-89) in the menu endpoint that permits attackers to inject arbitrary SQL commands into database queries.

The database file exposure vulnerability stems from improper access controls that fail to restrict direct requests to sensitive application files. Combined with the SQL injection vulnerability, an attacker gains both read access to existing data and the ability to manipulate the database through crafted queries.

Root Cause

The root cause is twofold: insufficient access control mechanisms that expose the SQLite database file (kim.db) to unauthenticated requests, and improper input sanitization in the menu endpoint that fails to validate or escape user-supplied input before incorporating it into SQL queries. This combination of CWE-89 (SQL Injection) and insecure direct object reference allows attackers to both extract and manipulate sensitive data.

Attack Vector

The attack is network-based and requires no authentication or user interaction. An attacker can exploit this vulnerability by:

1. Database File Download: Directly requesting the kim.db file path to download the complete SQLite database containing user credentials and password hashes.

2. SQL Injection: Sending specially crafted requests to the menu endpoint with malicious SQL payloads that manipulate database queries, potentially allowing data extraction, modification, or deletion.

The network-accessible nature of this vulnerability means any attacker with network access to the Tina4 Stack application can exploit these flaws without requiring any privileges or credentials.

Detection Methods for CVE-2018-25187

Indicators of Compromise

• HTTP requests attempting to access database files such as kim.db or other .db file extensions directly
• Unusual SQL query patterns or errors in application logs indicating injection attempts
• Requests to the menu endpoint containing SQL syntax characters such as single quotes, semicolons, or UNION SELECT statements
• Unexpected database dumps or credential harvesting activities detected in network traffic

Detection Strategies

• Implement web application firewall (WAF) rules to detect and block requests containing SQL injection patterns targeting the menu endpoint
• Monitor access logs for direct requests to database files or other sensitive application resources
• Deploy intrusion detection signatures for known SQL injection payloads and database file access attempts
• Analyze application logs for SQL syntax errors that may indicate failed injection attempts

Monitoring Recommendations

• Enable detailed logging on the web server to capture all requests to sensitive file paths
• Set up alerts for requests containing common SQL injection characters or keywords
• Monitor database activity for anomalous query patterns or unauthorized data access
• Implement network traffic analysis to detect large file downloads that may indicate database exfiltration

How to Mitigate CVE-2018-25187

Immediate Actions Required

• Upgrade Tina4 Stack to the latest available version that addresses these vulnerabilities
• Restrict access to database files by moving them outside the web root or implementing proper access controls
• Deploy a web application firewall with SQL injection protection rules
• Review and audit all user accounts for signs of compromise and reset credentials if necessary

Patch Information

Consult the VulnCheck Advisory on SQL Injection for detailed remediation guidance and patch availability. Additionally, the Exploit-DB #45833 entry provides technical details about the vulnerability that can inform mitigation strategies.

Workarounds

• Move the kim.db database file outside of the web-accessible directory to prevent direct download
• Implement server-side access controls to deny direct requests to .db files and other sensitive extensions
• Apply input validation and parameterized queries to the menu endpoint to prevent SQL injection
• Use a reverse proxy or WAF to filter malicious requests before they reach the application
• Restrict network access to the Tina4 Stack application to trusted IP ranges where possible

# Example Apache configuration to block direct database file access
<FilesMatch "\.(db|sqlite|sqlite3)$">
    Order allow,deny
    Deny from all
</FilesMatch>