CVE-2025-10078 Overview
A SQL Injection vulnerability has been identified in SourceCodester Online Polling System version 1.0. The vulnerability exists in the /admin/candidates.php file, where manipulation of the ID argument allows attackers to inject malicious SQL queries. This flaw enables remote exploitation without authentication, potentially allowing unauthorized access to the underlying database, data exfiltration, and manipulation of polling data.
Critical Impact
Remote attackers can exploit this SQL injection vulnerability to extract sensitive data from the database, modify poll results, or potentially gain further access to the underlying system through database-level attacks.
Affected Products
- Razormist Online Polling System 1.0
- SourceCodester Online Polling System 1.0
Discovery Timeline
- September 8, 2025 - CVE-2025-10078 published to NVD
- September 9, 2025 - Last updated in NVD database
Technical Details for CVE-2025-10078
Vulnerability Analysis
This SQL Injection vulnerability (CWE-89) occurs due to improper neutralization of special elements used in SQL commands within the /admin/candidates.php file. The ID parameter is passed directly to SQL queries without proper sanitization or parameterization, allowing attackers to manipulate database queries through crafted input.
The vulnerability falls under CWE-74 (Improper Neutralization of Special Elements in Output Used by a Downstream Component) and specifically CWE-89 (SQL Injection). When user-supplied input containing SQL metacharacters is processed by the application, the malicious SQL code is executed against the backend database.
Remote exploitation is possible, and the exploit has been made publicly available, increasing the risk of active exploitation in the wild.
Root Cause
The root cause of this vulnerability is the failure to properly sanitize or parameterize user input before incorporating it into SQL queries. The application directly concatenates the ID parameter value into SQL statements without using prepared statements, parameterized queries, or input validation. This classic SQL injection pattern allows attackers to break out of the intended query structure and inject arbitrary SQL commands.
Attack Vector
The attack vector is network-based, requiring no authentication or user interaction. An attacker can exploit this vulnerability by sending specially crafted HTTP requests to the /admin/candidates.php endpoint with malicious SQL payload in the ID parameter. The attack complexity is low, making it accessible to attackers with basic SQL injection knowledge.
The vulnerability allows attackers to potentially:
- Extract sensitive data from the database including user credentials and poll information
- Modify or delete database records, compromising poll integrity
- Enumerate database structure and contents
- Potentially execute operating system commands if database permissions allow
Technical details and proof-of-concept information can be found in the GitHub CVE Issue Tracker and VulDB entry #323026.
Detection Methods for CVE-2025-10078
Indicators of Compromise
- Unusual SQL error messages in application logs from the /admin/candidates.php endpoint
- HTTP requests to /admin/candidates.php containing SQL metacharacters such as single quotes, double dashes, or UNION keywords in the ID parameter
- Database query logs showing unexpected queries or access patterns originating from the polling application
- Anomalous database access times or unusual query execution patterns
Detection Strategies
- Deploy Web Application Firewall (WAF) rules to detect SQL injection patterns in requests to the affected endpoint
- Implement application-level logging to capture all requests to /admin/candidates.php and analyze for malicious patterns
- Configure database activity monitoring to alert on suspicious query patterns or unauthorized data access
- Use intrusion detection systems (IDS) with signatures for common SQL injection attack patterns
Monitoring Recommendations
- Monitor web server access logs for requests containing SQL injection payloads targeting the ID parameter
- Enable database audit logging to track all queries executed by the polling application
- Set up alerts for failed authentication attempts or database errors that may indicate exploitation attempts
- Review application error logs for SQL syntax errors that could indicate injection attempts
How to Mitigate CVE-2025-10078
Immediate Actions Required
- Restrict network access to the Online Polling System administrative interface until patched
- Implement Web Application Firewall (WAF) rules to block SQL injection attempts targeting /admin/candidates.php
- Review database logs for signs of previous exploitation and audit any suspicious activity
- Consider taking the affected application offline if it contains sensitive data and cannot be immediately patched
Patch Information
As of the last update on September 9, 2025, no official patch has been released by the vendor. Organizations using SourceCodester Online Polling System 1.0 should monitor SourceCodester's website for security updates. Additional vulnerability information is available through VulDB.
Workarounds
- Implement input validation on the ID parameter to accept only numeric values
- Deploy a WAF with SQL injection protection rules in front of the application
- Modify the application code to use prepared statements or parameterized queries for all database operations
- Restrict database user permissions for the application to minimum required privileges (principle of least privilege)
- Isolate the application server from critical network segments to limit potential lateral movement
If modifying source code, ensure all user input is properly sanitized using parameterized queries. For PHP applications like this one, use PDO with prepared statements or mysqli with parameter binding to prevent SQL injection attacks.
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
