CVE-2025-11476: Simple E-commerce Bookstore SQLi Flaw

CVE-2025-11476 Overview

A SQL injection vulnerability has been identified in SourceCodester Simple E-Commerce Bookstore version 1.0. The vulnerability exists in the /index.php file where the login_username parameter is not properly sanitized before being used in SQL queries. This allows remote attackers to inject malicious SQL statements through the login form, potentially compromising the database and gaining unauthorized access to the application.

Critical Impact

Remote attackers can exploit this SQL injection vulnerability to bypass authentication, extract sensitive data from the database, or potentially modify or delete database contents without requiring prior authentication.

Affected Products

• SourceCodester Simple E-Commerce Bookstore 1.0
• Janobe Simple E-commerce Bookstore

Discovery Timeline

• October 8, 2025 - CVE-2025-11476 published to NVD
• October 9, 2025 - Last updated in NVD database

Technical Details for CVE-2025-11476

Vulnerability Analysis

This vulnerability is a classic SQL injection flaw (CWE-89) resulting from improper neutralization of special elements used in SQL commands. The /index.php file accepts user input through the login_username parameter without adequate input validation or parameterized queries. When processing login requests, the application directly concatenates user-supplied data into SQL queries, allowing attackers to manipulate the query logic.

The vulnerability is remotely exploitable without any authentication requirements or user interaction. An attacker can craft malicious input containing SQL metacharacters that alter the intended query structure, enabling various attack scenarios including authentication bypass and data extraction.

Root Cause

The root cause is improper input validation and the use of unsanitized user input in SQL queries (CWE-74: Improper Neutralization of Special Elements in Output Used by a Downstream Component, CWE-89: SQL Injection). The application fails to implement prepared statements or parameterized queries when handling the login_username parameter, directly embedding user input into SQL statements.

Attack Vector

The attack is network-based and can be initiated remotely. An attacker targets the login functionality at /index.php by submitting crafted SQL injection payloads in the login_username field. No authentication is required to exploit this vulnerability, making it accessible to any remote attacker with network access to the application.

The injection point allows attackers to:

• Bypass authentication by manipulating WHERE clause conditions
• Extract database contents using UNION-based or error-based SQL injection techniques
• Potentially modify or delete data if the database user has write permissions

For technical details on the exploitation method, see the GitHub Issue Discussion and VulDB entry.

Detection Methods for CVE-2025-11476

Indicators of Compromise

• Unusual SQL syntax or special characters in web server access logs for /index.php
• Multiple failed or anomalous login attempts containing SQL metacharacters (single quotes, semicolons, UNION statements)
• Database query logs showing malformed or unexpected SQL queries originating from the login functionality
• Signs of data exfiltration or unauthorized database access

Detection Strategies

• Deploy Web Application Firewall (WAF) rules to detect and block common SQL injection patterns in the login_username parameter
• Implement application-level logging to capture and analyze all login attempts, flagging suspicious input patterns
• Configure intrusion detection systems (IDS) with signatures for SQL injection attack patterns
• Monitor database query logs for unusual query structures or error messages indicating injection attempts

Monitoring Recommendations

• Enable detailed access logging on the web server and monitor requests to /index.php
• Set up alerts for repeated failed authentication attempts that may indicate automated SQL injection testing
• Implement real-time database activity monitoring to detect unauthorized queries or data access
• Review logs regularly for patterns consistent with SQL injection reconnaissance and exploitation

How to Mitigate CVE-2025-11476

Immediate Actions Required

• Restrict access to the affected Simple E-Commerce Bookstore application until patched
• Implement Web Application Firewall (WAF) rules to filter malicious SQL injection payloads
• Consider taking the application offline if it handles sensitive data and no immediate fix is available
• Review database logs for any signs of compromise or unauthorized data access

Patch Information

As of the last update, no official patch has been released by the vendor. Organizations using SourceCodester Simple E-Commerce Bookstore 1.0 should monitor the SourceCodester website for security updates. Given the publicly disclosed nature of this vulnerability, immediate protective measures are strongly recommended.

Workarounds

• Implement input validation and sanitization for the login_username parameter at the application level
• Use prepared statements or parameterized queries for all database interactions involving user input
• Deploy a WAF with SQL injection detection rules in front of the application
• Restrict database user permissions to minimize the impact of successful exploitation
• Consider replacing the application with an alternative solution that follows secure coding practices

# Example WAF rule for ModSecurity to block SQL injection attempts
SecRule ARGS:login_username "@detectSQLi" \
    "id:100001,\
    phase:2,\
    deny,\
    status:403,\
    log,\
    msg:'SQL Injection Attempt Detected in login_username',\
    logdata:'%{MATCHED_VAR}',\
    severity:'CRITICAL'"