CVE-2019-25639: Matrimony Website Script SQL Injection

CVE-2019-25639 Overview

CVE-2019-25639 is a high-severity SQL injection vulnerability affecting Matrimony Website Script M-Plus, a web application used for matrimonial matchmaking services. The vulnerability allows unauthenticated attackers to manipulate database queries by injecting malicious SQL code through various POST parameters across multiple PHP endpoints.

Attackers can inject SQL payloads into parameters such as txtGender, religion, Fage, and cboCountry across several vulnerable files including simplesearch_results.php, advsearch_results.php, specialcase_results.php, locational_results.php, and registration2.php. Successful exploitation enables extraction of sensitive database information or execution of arbitrary SQL commands.

Critical Impact

Unauthenticated attackers can extract sensitive user data including personal information, authentication credentials, and potentially gain full database access through SQL injection attacks targeting multiple endpoints.

Affected Products

• Matrimony Website Script M-Plus (all versions prior to patch)
• Matri4Web matrimonial web application platform
• Web applications built on M-Plus script framework

Discovery Timeline

• 2026-03-24 - CVE CVE-2019-25639 published to NVD
• 2026-03-24 - Last updated in NVD database

Technical Details for CVE-2019-25639

Vulnerability Analysis

The vulnerability stems from improper input validation in the Matrimony Website Script M-Plus application. Multiple PHP endpoints fail to properly sanitize user-supplied input before incorporating it into SQL queries. This classic SQL injection flaw allows attackers to break out of the intended query structure and inject arbitrary SQL commands.

The vulnerable parameters span across search functionality and user registration processes. The txtGender, religion, Fage, and cboCountry parameters accept user input via POST requests without adequate sanitization or parameterized query implementation. This architectural weakness exposes the backend database to direct manipulation.

Given the network-accessible attack vector and lack of authentication requirements, exploitation can be conducted remotely without any prior access to the system. The vulnerability primarily impacts data confidentiality, allowing unauthorized access to database contents, with potential for data modification.

Root Cause

The root cause is CWE-89: Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an SQL Command (SQL Injection). The application constructs SQL queries using string concatenation with unsanitized user input, rather than using prepared statements or parameterized queries. This allows special SQL characters and commands within user input to alter the intended query logic.

Attack Vector

The attack is network-based and requires no authentication or user interaction. An attacker can craft malicious POST requests targeting any of the five vulnerable PHP endpoints. By manipulating parameters like txtGender or cboCountry with SQL injection payloads, attackers can extract data using UNION-based or blind SQL injection techniques, enumerate database structure, access sensitive user records, and potentially escalate to full database compromise.

The vulnerability can be exploited by submitting specially crafted POST data to endpoints such as simplesearch_results.php with SQL injection payloads in the vulnerable parameters. These payloads can include techniques like boolean-based blind injection, UNION SELECT statements, or time-based injection to extract database information. For detailed exploitation information, see the Exploit-DB #46591 reference.

Detection Methods for CVE-2019-25639

Indicators of Compromise

• Unusual SQL error messages in web server logs from the affected PHP files (simplesearch_results.php, advsearch_results.php, specialcase_results.php, locational_results.php, registration2.php)
• POST requests containing SQL keywords such as UNION, SELECT, OR 1=1, --, or single quotes in parameter values
• Database queries with abnormal execution patterns or unexpected data extraction operations
• Failed authentication attempts followed by successful database queries originating from the same IP

Detection Strategies

• Deploy Web Application Firewall (WAF) rules to detect SQL injection patterns in POST parameters targeting the vulnerable endpoints
• Implement database activity monitoring to alert on unusual query patterns or bulk data extraction attempts
• Configure IDS/IPS signatures to detect common SQL injection payloads in HTTP POST traffic
• Enable detailed logging on the affected PHP endpoints and monitor for SQL syntax errors or injection attempts

Monitoring Recommendations

• Monitor web server access logs for requests to the five vulnerable PHP endpoints with suspicious parameter values
• Set up alerts for database errors indicating SQL syntax violations from the web application user context
• Track network traffic for exfiltration patterns that may indicate successful data extraction
• Implement real-time log analysis for patterns consistent with automated SQL injection tools

How to Mitigate CVE-2019-25639

Immediate Actions Required

• Deploy a Web Application Firewall (WAF) with SQL injection protection rules to filter malicious requests before they reach the vulnerable endpoints
• Implement input validation and sanitization for all POST parameters, particularly txtGender, religion, Fage, and cboCountry
• Consider temporarily restricting access to the affected search and registration functionality until a permanent fix is applied
• Review database permissions and ensure the web application database user has minimal required privileges

Patch Information

No official vendor patch information is available in the CVE data. Organizations using Matrimony Website Script M-Plus should contact Matri4Web directly for security updates or patch availability. Additional vulnerability details can be found in the VulnCheck Advisory: SQL Injection.

Workarounds

• Refactor the vulnerable PHP files to use prepared statements with parameterized queries instead of string concatenation for SQL query construction
• Implement server-side input validation to whitelist acceptable characters and reject input containing SQL special characters
• Deploy ModSecurity or similar WAF with OWASP Core Rule Set to block SQL injection attempts
• Consider implementing a reverse proxy with request filtering capabilities to sanitize incoming POST data

# Example ModSecurity rule configuration for SQL injection protection
# Add to ModSecurity configuration file
SecRule ARGS "@detectSQLi" \
    "id:1001,\
    phase:2,\
    block,\
    t:none,t:urlDecodeUni,\
    msg:'SQL Injection Attack Detected',\
    logdata:'Matched Data: %{MATCHED_VAR} found within %{MATCHED_VAR_NAME}',\
    severity:'CRITICAL'"