CVE-2019-25580: ownDMS SQL Injection Vulnerability

CVE-2019-25580 Overview

CVE-2019-25580 is an SQL injection vulnerability affecting ownDMS version 4.7, a document management system. The vulnerability allows unauthenticated attackers to execute arbitrary SQL queries by injecting malicious code through the IMG parameter. Attackers can send specially crafted GET requests to pdfstream.php, imagestream.php, or anyfilestream.php endpoints with SQL payloads in the IMG parameter to extract sensitive database information including version details and database names.

Critical Impact

This SQL injection vulnerability enables unauthenticated remote attackers to extract sensitive database contents, potentially exposing credentials, user data, and confidential documents stored in the ownDMS system.

Affected Products

• ownDMS 4.7

Discovery Timeline

• 2026-03-21 - CVE CVE-2019-25580 published to NVD
• 2026-03-23 - Last updated in NVD database

Technical Details for CVE-2019-25580

Vulnerability Analysis

This SQL injection vulnerability exists due to improper input validation in ownDMS 4.7's file streaming endpoints. The application fails to properly sanitize user-supplied input passed through the IMG parameter before incorporating it into SQL queries. This lack of input sanitization allows attackers to manipulate the database query logic by injecting malicious SQL statements.

The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it requires no authentication, meaning any remote attacker with network access to the ownDMS installation can exploit it. The network-based attack vector with low complexity makes this vulnerability highly accessible to attackers with basic SQL injection knowledge.

Root Cause

The root cause of this vulnerability is the failure to implement proper input validation and parameterized queries in the affected PHP files. The IMG parameter in pdfstream.php, imagestream.php, and anyfilestream.php is directly concatenated into SQL queries without sanitization, escaping, or the use of prepared statements. This classic SQL injection pattern allows attackers to break out of the intended query context and execute arbitrary SQL commands.

Attack Vector

The attack vector is network-based, requiring only the ability to send HTTP GET requests to the vulnerable ownDMS endpoints. An attacker crafts a malicious URL containing SQL injection payloads in the IMG parameter. When the server processes this request, the injected SQL code is executed against the backend database.

Typical exploitation involves using UNION-based or error-based SQL injection techniques to extract database information. Attackers commonly target database version information, table names, column structures, and ultimately sensitive data such as user credentials and stored documents. The vulnerability can be exploited using standard SQL injection tools or manual testing techniques.

For detailed technical exploitation information, refer to the Exploit-DB #46168 entry and the VulnCheck Advisory.

Detection Methods for CVE-2019-25580

Indicators of Compromise

• Unusual HTTP GET requests to pdfstream.php, imagestream.php, or anyfilestream.php containing SQL keywords such as UNION, SELECT, ORDER BY, or comment sequences like -- in the IMG parameter
• Database error messages in web server logs indicating malformed SQL queries
• Unexpected database queries or access patterns in database audit logs
• Network traffic containing URL-encoded SQL injection payloads targeting the vulnerable endpoints

Detection Strategies

• Implement Web Application Firewall (WAF) rules to detect and block SQL injection patterns in the IMG parameter
• Monitor web server access logs for requests to the vulnerable PHP files with abnormally long or suspicious IMG parameter values
• Deploy intrusion detection system (IDS) signatures for common SQL injection attack patterns targeting ownDMS endpoints
• Enable database query logging and alert on queries containing injection indicators or unusual data extraction patterns

Monitoring Recommendations

• Configure real-time alerting on web server logs for requests matching SQL injection attack signatures
• Implement database activity monitoring to detect unauthorized data access or extraction attempts
• Monitor for failed authentication attempts following successful SQL injection exploitation
• Review web application logs regularly for reconnaissance activity targeting ownDMS file streaming endpoints

How to Mitigate CVE-2019-25580

Immediate Actions Required

• Restrict network access to ownDMS installations to trusted IP addresses only
• Implement a Web Application Firewall (WAF) with SQL injection protection rules in front of the ownDMS application
• Consider taking vulnerable ownDMS 4.7 installations offline until a secure alternative can be implemented
• Audit database logs for evidence of prior exploitation attempts

Patch Information

No official vendor patch has been identified in the available CVE data. ownDMS users should consult the ownDMS website for any available security updates. If no patch is available, organizations should consider migrating to a more actively maintained document management solution with proper security controls.

Workarounds

• Deploy a reverse proxy or WAF with SQL injection filtering to block malicious requests before they reach the ownDMS application
• Implement network-level access controls to restrict access to the ownDMS installation to authorized users only
• Disable or remove the vulnerable PHP files (pdfstream.php, imagestream.php, anyfilestream.php) if they are not required for business operations
• Apply input validation at the web server level using ModSecurity or similar tools to sanitize the IMG parameter

# Example ModSecurity rule to block SQL injection in IMG parameter
SecRule ARGS:IMG "@detectSQLi" "id:1001,phase:2,deny,status:403,msg:'SQL Injection attempt blocked in IMG parameter'"