CVE-2019-25693: ResourceSpace 8.6 SQLi Vulnerability

CVE-2019-25693 Overview

ResourceSpace 8.6 contains an SQL injection vulnerability that allows authenticated attackers to execute arbitrary SQL queries by injecting malicious code through the keywords parameter in collection_edit.php. Attackers can submit POST requests with crafted SQL payloads in the keywords field to extract sensitive database information including schema names, user credentials, and other confidential data.

Critical Impact

Authenticated attackers can exploit this SQL injection vulnerability to extract sensitive database information, potentially compromising user credentials and confidential data stored in ResourceSpace installations.

Affected Products

• ResourceSpace 8.6

Discovery Timeline

• 2026-04-12 - CVE CVE-2019-25693 published to NVD
• 2026-04-13 - Last updated in NVD database

Technical Details for CVE-2019-25693

Vulnerability Analysis

This SQL injection vulnerability exists in the collection_edit.php file of ResourceSpace version 8.6. The application fails to properly sanitize user-supplied input in the keywords parameter before incorporating it into SQL queries. When an authenticated user submits a POST request to the collection edit functionality, the keywords field accepts arbitrary input that is directly concatenated into database queries without proper parameterization or escaping.

The vulnerability enables authenticated attackers to manipulate the underlying SQL query structure, allowing them to perform unauthorized database operations. This includes extracting database schema information, enumerating user tables, and retrieving sensitive data such as stored credentials. The network-accessible attack vector combined with low attack complexity makes this vulnerability particularly concerning for internet-facing ResourceSpace deployments.

Root Cause

The root cause of this vulnerability is improper input validation and the absence of parameterized queries in the collection_edit.php script. The application directly incorporates user-controlled data from the keywords POST parameter into SQL statements without implementing proper input sanitization or prepared statements. This classic SQL injection pattern allows attackers to break out of the intended query context and inject their own SQL commands.

Attack Vector

The attack is executed over the network and requires authentication to the ResourceSpace application. An attacker with valid credentials can craft a malicious POST request to collection_edit.php containing SQL injection payloads in the keywords parameter. The crafted payloads can utilize techniques such as UNION-based injection to append additional SELECT statements, error-based injection to extract data through database error messages, or time-based blind injection to infer information through response timing delays.

Once the malicious request is processed, the injected SQL code executes with the privileges of the database user configured for the ResourceSpace application. This typically allows attackers to read arbitrary data from any table accessible to that database user, potentially including administrative credentials, user information, and other sensitive content stored within the digital asset management system.

Detection Methods for CVE-2019-25693

Indicators of Compromise

• Unusual POST requests to collection_edit.php containing SQL syntax characters such as single quotes, UNION, SELECT, or comment sequences in the keywords parameter
• Database error messages appearing in application logs or responses indicating malformed SQL queries
• Unexpected database queries attempting to access system tables or information_schema
• Evidence of data exfiltration through abnormal outbound traffic patterns from database servers

Detection Strategies

• Implement web application firewall (WAF) rules to detect and block common SQL injection patterns in POST parameters
• Monitor application logs for requests containing suspicious SQL keywords and special characters in form fields
• Configure database audit logging to track unusual query patterns or access to sensitive system tables
• Deploy intrusion detection systems (IDS) with signatures for SQL injection attack patterns

Monitoring Recommendations

• Enable verbose logging on the ResourceSpace application to capture all POST request parameters
• Implement database activity monitoring to alert on queries accessing user credential tables or schema information
• Set up real-time alerting for multiple failed or malformed database queries from the application
• Review web server access logs for repeated requests to collection_edit.php with varying parameter values

How to Mitigate CVE-2019-25693

Immediate Actions Required

• Upgrade ResourceSpace to a patched version that addresses the SQL injection vulnerability in collection_edit.php
• Implement input validation on all user-supplied parameters, particularly the keywords field
• Deploy a web application firewall (WAF) in front of ResourceSpace to filter malicious SQL injection attempts
• Review database user permissions and apply the principle of least privilege to limit potential impact

Patch Information

Organizations should upgrade to a newer version of ResourceSpace that addresses this vulnerability. Visit the ResourceSpace Download Page to obtain the latest secure version. For detailed information about this vulnerability, refer to the VulnCheck SQL Injection Advisory and Exploit-DB #46274.

Workarounds

• Restrict network access to the ResourceSpace application to trusted IP ranges only until patching is complete
• Implement additional authentication layers or VPN requirements to access the collection edit functionality
• Deploy a reverse proxy with custom rules to sanitize or block suspicious keywords parameter values
• Temporarily disable or restrict access to the collection editing feature if not critical to operations

Organizations unable to immediately patch should implement multiple layers of defense including network segmentation, enhanced monitoring, and strict access controls to reduce the risk of exploitation.