CVE-2025-11473: Hotel Management System SQLi Vulnerability

CVE-2025-11473 Overview

A SQL injection vulnerability has been identified in SourceCodester Hotel and Lodge Management System version 1.0. The vulnerability exists in the /edit_curr.php file, where improper handling of the currsymbol parameter allows attackers to inject malicious SQL queries. This flaw enables remote attackers to manipulate database queries without authentication, potentially compromising the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of the underlying database.

Critical Impact

Remote attackers can exploit this SQL injection vulnerability to extract sensitive data, modify database records, or disrupt hotel management operations without requiring any authentication.

Affected Products

• SourceCodester Hotel and Lodge Management System 1.0
• nikhil-bhalerao hotel_and_lodge_management_system 1.0

Discovery Timeline

• October 8, 2025 - CVE-2025-11473 published to NVD
• October 8, 2025 - Last updated in NVD database

Technical Details for CVE-2025-11473

Vulnerability Analysis

This vulnerability is classified under CWE-89 (SQL Injection) and CWE-74 (Improper Neutralization of Special Elements in Output Used by a Downstream Component). The affected endpoint /edit_curr.php accepts user input through the currsymbol parameter without proper sanitization or parameterized query implementation. When user-supplied data is directly concatenated into SQL queries, attackers can manipulate the query logic to perform unauthorized database operations.

The exploit has been publicly disclosed, making systems running this software particularly vulnerable to opportunistic attacks. The network-accessible nature of this vulnerability means that any internet-exposed instance of the Hotel and Lodge Management System is at risk.

Root Cause

The root cause of this vulnerability is the failure to implement proper input validation and parameterized queries (prepared statements) when processing user input in the currsymbol parameter within /edit_curr.php. The application directly incorporates user-supplied data into SQL query strings, allowing attackers to break out of the intended query structure and inject arbitrary SQL commands.

Attack Vector

The attack can be executed remotely over the network without requiring authentication or user interaction. An attacker sends a crafted HTTP request to the /edit_curr.php endpoint with a malicious payload in the currsymbol parameter. The injected SQL code is then executed by the database server with the same privileges as the application's database user.

The vulnerability is exploited by sending specially crafted input through the currsymbol parameter to the /edit_curr.php endpoint. Attackers can use standard SQL injection techniques such as UNION-based injection, boolean-based blind injection, or time-based blind injection to extract data or manipulate the database. For detailed technical analysis and proof-of-concept information, refer to the GitHub Issue Discussion.

Detection Methods for CVE-2025-11473

Indicators of Compromise

• Unusual HTTP requests to /edit_curr.php containing SQL syntax characters such as single quotes ('), double dashes (--), or UNION statements in the currsymbol parameter
• Database error messages in application logs indicating syntax errors or unexpected query behavior
• Anomalous database queries attempting to access system tables like information_schema
• Unexpected data exfiltration or modification patterns in database audit logs

Detection Strategies

• Deploy Web Application Firewall (WAF) rules to detect and block SQL injection patterns targeting the currsymbol parameter
• Implement application-layer logging to capture all requests to /edit_curr.php and analyze for suspicious payloads
• Configure database activity monitoring to alert on queries containing injection signatures or unauthorized table access
• Use intrusion detection systems (IDS) with SQL injection detection signatures

Monitoring Recommendations

• Enable verbose logging on the web server to capture full request parameters for the /edit_curr.php endpoint
• Monitor database logs for failed queries, unusual query patterns, or attempts to access metadata tables
• Set up alerts for multiple rapid requests to the vulnerable endpoint from single IP addresses
• Review access logs regularly for requests containing URL-encoded SQL injection payloads

How to Mitigate CVE-2025-11473

Immediate Actions Required

• Restrict network access to the Hotel and Lodge Management System to trusted IP addresses only
• Implement WAF rules to block requests containing SQL injection patterns to /edit_curr.php
• Consider taking the application offline until a proper fix can be applied
• Audit database logs and application logs for signs of prior exploitation

Patch Information

As of the last NVD update on October 8, 2025, no official patch has been released by the vendor. Organizations using this software should monitor the SourceCodester Resource page for security updates. Additional vulnerability details and community discussions can be found at the VulDB #327591 advisory.

Workarounds

• Manually modify the /edit_curr.php file to use prepared statements (parameterized queries) with bound parameters for the currsymbol input
• Implement server-side input validation to whitelist only expected characters for currency symbols
• Deploy a reverse proxy or WAF in front of the application to filter malicious requests
• Restrict database user privileges to minimize the impact of successful SQL injection attacks

# Configuration example - Apache mod_security rule to block SQL injection attempts
# Add to .htaccess or Apache configuration
SecRule ARGS:currsymbol "@detectSQLi" "id:1001,phase:2,deny,status:403,log,msg:'SQL Injection attempt blocked in currsymbol parameter'"

# Alternative: Restrict access to vulnerable endpoint by IP
<Location /edit_curr.php>
    Require ip 192.168.1.0/24
    Require ip 10.0.0.0/8
</Location>