CVE-2025-11114 Overview
CVE-2025-11114 is a SQL injection vulnerability in CodeAstro Online Leave Application 1.0. The flaw resides in the /leaveAplicationForm.php script, where the absence[] request parameter is passed to a database query without proper sanitization. Attackers can manipulate the parameter to alter the intended SQL statement. The issue is remotely reachable and requires low-privilege authentication. A public exploit has been disclosed, increasing the likelihood of opportunistic abuse against exposed installations. The vulnerability is tracked under CWE-74 (Improper Neutralization of Special Elements in Output Used by a Downstream Component).
Critical Impact
Authenticated remote attackers can inject arbitrary SQL through the absence[] parameter in /leaveAplicationForm.php, exposing leave-management data stored in the backend database.
Affected Products
- CodeAstro Online Leave Application 1.0
- CPE: cpe:2.3:a:codeastro:online_leave_application:1.0:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
- Vulnerable file: /leaveAplicationForm.php
Discovery Timeline
- 2025-09-28 - CVE-2025-11114 published to NVD
- 2026-06-17 - Last updated in NVD database
Technical Details for CVE-2025-11114
Vulnerability Analysis
The vulnerability affects the leave-application submission workflow of CodeAstro Online Leave Application 1.0. The /leaveAplicationForm.php endpoint accepts an array parameter named absence[] and incorporates its values into a SQL statement without parameterized queries or input validation. An authenticated attacker can inject SQL syntax through one or more array elements, allowing manipulation of the underlying query logic. Exploitation can be automated because the attack does not require user interaction and the exploit has been published on public disclosure channels including VulDB #326195 and a related GitHub issue tracker.
Root Cause
The root cause is unsafe concatenation of user-controlled input into a SQL query. The application does not bind the absence[] array elements as parameters, nor does it apply type coercion or allow-list validation. Because PHP arrays passed through query strings preserve attacker-controlled contents, each element traverses the query builder unchanged and reaches the database driver as executable syntax.
Attack Vector
The attack vector is network-based over standard HTTP or HTTPS. A remote attacker with any valid low-privilege account submits a crafted leave-application form. The attacker appends SQL metacharacters and clauses to one or more absence[] elements. The manipulated query can read, alter, or extract records from the application database, depending on backend permissions. See the CodeAstro product page and VulDB CTI entry for additional context.
No verified exploit code is reproduced here. Refer to the linked public disclosure for the payload structure.
Detection Methods for CVE-2025-11114
Indicators of Compromise
- HTTP POST or GET requests to /leaveAplicationForm.php containing SQL metacharacters such as ', --, UNION, SELECT, or SLEEP( within absence[] values.
- Web server access logs showing repeated submissions to the leave-application endpoint from a single source within a short interval.
- Database error messages referencing syntax errors originating from the leave-application query.
Detection Strategies
- Deploy web application firewall (WAF) rules that inspect the absence[] parameter for SQL syntax tokens and boolean-based injection patterns.
- Enable database query logging and alert on unusual query shapes emitted by the leave-application module.
- Correlate authentication events with anomalous form submissions to identify credentialed abuse.
Monitoring Recommendations
- Forward web server, application, and database logs to a centralized analytics platform for cross-source correlation.
- Baseline normal request volumes to /leaveAplicationForm.php and alert on spikes or off-hours activity.
- Monitor outbound database connections for exfiltration patterns following suspicious form submissions.
How to Mitigate CVE-2025-11114
Immediate Actions Required
- Restrict network exposure of the Online Leave Application to trusted internal networks or VPN access until a fix is available.
- Audit application accounts and revoke or rotate credentials that are unused or shared.
- Enable WAF signatures for SQL injection targeting the absence[] parameter.
Patch Information
At the time of publication, no vendor patch has been listed in the NVD entry or on the CodeAstro website. Operators should monitor the vendor site and the VulDB submission record for updates and apply fixes promptly when released.
Workarounds
- Place the application behind a reverse proxy that enforces strict allow-list validation on the absence[] parameter, accepting only expected identifier formats.
- Modify /leaveAplicationForm.php locally to bind parameters using prepared statements (PDO or MySQLi) rather than string concatenation.
- Apply least-privilege permissions to the database account used by the application, removing rights such as DROP, ALTER, and cross-database SELECT where not required.
# Example: restrict database privileges for the application account
mysql -u root -p -e "REVOKE ALL PRIVILEGES ON *.* FROM 'leaveapp'@'%'; \
GRANT SELECT, INSERT, UPDATE ON leave_db.* TO 'leaveapp'@'%'; \
FLUSH PRIVILEGES;"
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
