CVE-2019-25535 Overview
CVE-2019-25535 is a SQL injection vulnerability discovered in Netartmedia PHP Dating Site that allows unauthenticated attackers to manipulate database queries by injecting SQL code through the Email parameter. This vulnerability enables attackers to send POST requests to loginaction.php with time-based SQL injection payloads in the Email field to extract sensitive database information.
Critical Impact
Unauthenticated attackers can exploit this SQL injection flaw to extract sensitive user data, credentials, and potentially gain unauthorized access to the underlying database server without any authentication requirements.
Affected Products
- Netartmedia PHP Dating Site
Discovery Timeline
- 2026-03-12 - CVE CVE-2019-25535 published to NVD
- 2026-03-12 - Last updated in NVD database
Technical Details for CVE-2019-25535
Vulnerability Analysis
This SQL injection vulnerability (CWE-89) exists in the login functionality of Netartmedia PHP Dating Site. The application fails to properly sanitize user-supplied input in the Email parameter before incorporating it into SQL queries. This allows attackers to inject arbitrary SQL commands that are executed by the database server.
The vulnerability is particularly severe because it requires no authentication to exploit. Any unauthenticated attacker with network access can target the loginaction.php endpoint and submit crafted POST requests containing malicious SQL payloads in the Email field. Time-based blind SQL injection techniques can be used to systematically extract sensitive information from the database, including user credentials, personal information, and other stored data.
Root Cause
The root cause of this vulnerability is improper input validation and a failure to use parameterized queries or prepared statements in the authentication logic. The Email parameter value is directly concatenated into SQL query strings without proper escaping or sanitization, allowing attacker-controlled SQL syntax to modify the intended query behavior.
Attack Vector
The attack is conducted over the network by sending specially crafted HTTP POST requests to the loginaction.php endpoint. Attackers inject time-based SQL injection payloads into the Email field, which causes the database to execute conditional delays. By measuring response times, attackers can infer boolean conditions and systematically extract data character by character from the database.
This attack requires no user interaction and no prior authentication, making it highly exploitable. The attacker only needs network access to the vulnerable application to begin exploitation.
Detection Methods for CVE-2019-25535
Indicators of Compromise
- Unusual POST requests to loginaction.php containing SQL syntax characters such as single quotes, semicolons, or SQL keywords in the Email parameter
- Database query execution times showing unusual delays that could indicate time-based blind SQL injection attempts
- Web server logs showing repeated login attempts with abnormal Email field values containing SLEEP(), WAITFOR, or BENCHMARK() functions
- Database logs indicating query errors or unexpected SQL syntax patterns
Detection Strategies
- Implement Web Application Firewall (WAF) rules to detect and block SQL injection patterns in POST parameters
- Monitor application logs for requests containing SQL injection signatures such as UNION SELECT, OR 1=1, time-based functions, or comment sequences
- Deploy intrusion detection systems (IDS) with signatures for SQL injection attack patterns targeting authentication endpoints
- Enable database query logging and alert on queries with suspicious syntax or unusual execution times
Monitoring Recommendations
- Continuously monitor HTTP POST requests to authentication endpoints for anomalous patterns or SQL injection indicators
- Set up alerts for multiple failed login attempts that include non-standard characters in the Email field
- Implement real-time database activity monitoring to detect unusual query patterns or data exfiltration attempts
- Review web server access logs regularly for reconnaissance and attack patterns targeting loginaction.php
How to Mitigate CVE-2019-25535
Immediate Actions Required
- Remove the Netartmedia PHP Dating Site application from production or restrict network access until a fix is applied
- Implement Web Application Firewall (WAF) rules to filter SQL injection attempts targeting the Email parameter
- Review database access logs for signs of compromise and unauthorized data access
- Consider database credential rotation if exploitation is suspected
Patch Information
No vendor patch information is currently available for this vulnerability. Organizations using Netartmedia PHP Dating Site should contact the vendor for remediation guidance or consider alternative solutions. Additional technical details can be found in the Exploit-DB #46576 and VulnCheck Advisory.
Workarounds
- Implement input validation to reject Email parameter values containing SQL injection characters and keywords
- Deploy a WAF with SQL injection protection rules in front of the application
- Restrict network access to the application using IP allowlisting or VPN requirements
- If source code access is available, modify the authentication logic to use parameterized queries or prepared statements instead of string concatenation
- Consider placing the application behind an application-layer proxy that can sanitize user input before it reaches the vulnerable endpoint
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
