CVE-2019-25662 Overview
ResourceSpace 8.6 contains a critical SQL injection vulnerability that allows unauthenticated attackers to execute arbitrary SQL queries by injecting malicious code through the ref parameter. Attackers can send GET requests to the watched_searches.php endpoint with crafted SQL payloads to extract sensitive database information including usernames and credentials.
Critical Impact
Unauthenticated attackers can exploit this SQL injection to extract sensitive database information, potentially compromising user credentials and gaining unauthorized access to the entire ResourceSpace installation.
Affected Products
- ResourceSpace 8.6
Discovery Timeline
- 2026-04-05 - CVE CVE-2019-25662 published to NVD
- 2026-04-07 - Last updated in NVD database
Technical Details for CVE-2019-25662
Vulnerability Analysis
This SQL injection vulnerability (CWE-89) exists in the watched_searches.php endpoint of ResourceSpace 8.6. The application fails to properly sanitize user-supplied input in the ref parameter before incorporating it into SQL queries. This lack of input validation allows attackers to inject malicious SQL statements that are then executed by the database server.
The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it does not require authentication, meaning any remote attacker with network access to the application can exploit it. Successfully exploited, this vulnerability enables attackers to read, modify, or delete data from the underlying database, potentially leading to full compromise of the ResourceSpace installation.
Root Cause
The root cause of this vulnerability is improper input validation and failure to use parameterized queries or prepared statements in the watched_searches.php script. The ref parameter is directly concatenated into SQL queries without proper sanitization or escaping, creating a classic SQL injection attack surface.
Attack Vector
The attack is executed remotely over the network by sending specially crafted HTTP GET requests to the vulnerable watched_searches.php endpoint. An attacker constructs a malicious URL containing SQL injection payloads in the ref parameter. When the server processes this request, the injected SQL code is executed against the database, allowing the attacker to extract sensitive information such as usernames, password hashes, and other stored data.
The attack requires no authentication and no user interaction, making it trivially exploitable by any attacker who can reach the vulnerable endpoint over the network.
Detection Methods for CVE-2019-25662
Indicators of Compromise
- Unusual or malformed GET requests to /pages/watched_searches.php containing SQL syntax characters such as single quotes, double dashes, UNION SELECT statements, or common SQL injection patterns
- Database query logs showing unexpected queries originating from the watched_searches.php script
- Evidence of data exfiltration attempts in web server access logs, particularly requests with encoded SQL payloads in the ref parameter
Detection Strategies
- Implement Web Application Firewall (WAF) rules to detect and block SQL injection patterns in requests to ResourceSpace endpoints
- Monitor access logs for requests to watched_searches.php with suspicious parameter values
- Enable database query logging and alert on anomalous query patterns or errors indicative of injection attempts
- Deploy intrusion detection systems (IDS) with signatures for SQL injection attack patterns
Monitoring Recommendations
- Configure real-time alerting for requests containing SQL injection keywords targeting the ref parameter
- Establish baseline traffic patterns for watched_searches.php and alert on deviations
- Monitor database user activity for unexpected privilege escalation or bulk data access
How to Mitigate CVE-2019-25662
Immediate Actions Required
- Restrict network access to the ResourceSpace installation, limiting exposure to trusted networks only
- Implement a Web Application Firewall (WAF) with SQL injection protection rules as a compensating control
- Review access logs and database logs for signs of prior exploitation
- Consider disabling or restricting access to watched_searches.php if the functionality is not critical to operations
Patch Information
Organizations should upgrade to a patched version of ResourceSpace that addresses this SQL injection vulnerability. Consult the ResourceSpace official website and download page for the latest secure version. Additional technical details are available in the VulnCheck SQL Injection Advisory and Exploit-DB #46308.
Workarounds
- Deploy input validation at the application or WAF layer to block SQL injection patterns in the ref parameter
- Use network segmentation to limit access to ResourceSpace to authorized users only
- Apply the principle of least privilege to the database account used by ResourceSpace, restricting permissions to only what is necessary for normal operation
- Consider implementing database activity monitoring to detect and alert on suspicious query patterns
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
