CVE-2018-25257: Adianti Framework SQLi Vulnerability

CVE-2018-25257 Overview

CVE-2018-25257 is a SQL Injection vulnerability affecting Adianti Framework versions 5.5.0 and 5.6.0. The vulnerability exists in the SystemProfileForm component, where authenticated users can inject malicious SQL code through the name field. By submitting crafted SQL statements to the profile edit endpoint, attackers can manipulate database queries to modify user credentials and potentially gain administrative access to the application.

Critical Impact

Authenticated attackers can exploit this SQL Injection vulnerability to modify user credentials and escalate privileges to administrative access, compromising the entire application's security posture.

Affected Products

• Adianti Framework 5.5.0
• Adianti Framework 5.6.0

Discovery Timeline

• 2026-04-12 - CVE CVE-2018-25257 published to NVD
• 2026-04-15 - Last updated in NVD database

Technical Details for CVE-2018-25257

Vulnerability Analysis

This SQL Injection vulnerability (CWE-89) stems from improper input validation in the Adianti Framework's user profile functionality. The SystemProfileForm component fails to properly sanitize user-supplied input in the name field before incorporating it into SQL queries. This allows authenticated users to inject arbitrary SQL commands that are executed against the backend database with the application's privileges.

The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it can be exploited by any authenticated user, regardless of their privilege level. Once exploited, an attacker can read sensitive data from the database, modify existing records including user credentials, and potentially escalate their privileges to gain full administrative control over the application.

Root Cause

The root cause of this vulnerability is insufficient input sanitization in the SystemProfileForm component. The name field parameter is directly concatenated into SQL queries without proper parameterization or escaping. This classic SQL Injection pattern allows attackers to break out of the intended query structure and inject their own SQL commands.

Attack Vector

The attack is network-based and requires low-privilege authenticated access. An attacker needs to:

1. Authenticate to the Adianti Framework application with any valid user account
2. Navigate to the profile editing functionality
3. Submit a crafted payload containing SQL injection syntax in the name field
4. The malicious SQL is executed against the database, allowing the attacker to read or modify data

The vulnerability allows attackers to modify user credentials directly in the database, enabling them to elevate their privileges to administrator level and gain complete control over the application.

For detailed technical information about the exploitation mechanism, refer to the Exploit-DB #46217 entry and the VulnCheck Advisory.

Detection Methods for CVE-2018-25257

Indicators of Compromise

• Unusual SQL syntax patterns in web application logs, particularly in requests to profile update endpoints
• Database audit logs showing unexpected UPDATE or SELECT statements targeting user credential tables
• Unexpected changes to user accounts or privilege levels without corresponding administrative actions
• Error messages in application logs indicating SQL syntax errors from malformed injection attempts

Detection Strategies

• Implement Web Application Firewall (WAF) rules to detect common SQL injection patterns in POST parameters
• Enable database query logging and monitor for anomalous queries originating from the profile update functionality
• Deploy application-layer intrusion detection to identify SQL injection attack signatures in HTTP traffic
• Implement file integrity monitoring on user database tables to detect unauthorized modifications

Monitoring Recommendations

• Enable detailed logging on the Adianti Framework application, particularly for the SystemProfileForm component
• Configure database auditing to track all modifications to user credential and privilege tables
• Set up alerts for failed SQL queries that may indicate injection attempts
• Monitor for sudden privilege changes or new administrative accounts being created

How to Mitigate CVE-2018-25257

Immediate Actions Required

• Upgrade Adianti Framework to a patched version that addresses this SQL Injection vulnerability
• Implement input validation and sanitization for all user-supplied data in the SystemProfileForm component
• Review and audit all user accounts for unauthorized privilege escalation or credential modifications
• Deploy a Web Application Firewall with SQL injection protection enabled as a temporary mitigation

Patch Information

Organizations using Adianti Framework 5.5.0 or 5.6.0 should upgrade to the latest available version that addresses this vulnerability. Consult the VulnCheck Advisory for specific patch information and remediation guidance.

Workarounds

• Implement prepared statements or parameterized queries for all database operations in the affected component
• Add application-level input validation to reject SQL metacharacters in the name field
• Restrict access to the profile editing functionality to only trusted users until the vulnerability is patched
• Deploy a WAF rule specifically blocking SQL injection patterns in requests to the profile update endpoint

# Example WAF rule for ModSecurity to block SQL injection in profile forms
SecRule REQUEST_URI "@contains /profile" \
    "id:100001,phase:2,deny,status:403,\
    chain"
SecRule ARGS:name "@detectSQLi" \
    "msg:'SQL Injection attempt in profile name field'"