CVE-2025-11552 Overview
CVE-2025-11552 is a SQL injection vulnerability in code-projects Online Complaint Site 1.0. The flaw resides in the /admin/category.php script, where the Category parameter is passed into a database query without proper sanitization. An authenticated remote attacker can manipulate the parameter to inject arbitrary SQL statements. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-89 (Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an SQL Command) and CWE-74 (Injection). Public exploit details have been disclosed through VulDB #327711 and a GitHub CVE Issue Discussion, increasing the likelihood of opportunistic attacks against exposed installations.
Critical Impact
Authenticated attackers can inject SQL through the Category parameter in /admin/category.php, exposing administrative database contents and enabling data tampering.
Affected Products
- code-projects Online Complaint Site 1.0
- Fabian Online Complaint Site (CPE: cpe:2.3:a:fabian:online_complaint_site:1.0)
- Deployments using the unpatched /admin/category.php handler
Discovery Timeline
- 2025-10-09 - CVE-2025-11552 published to NVD
- 2026-04-29 - Last updated in NVD database
Technical Details for CVE-2025-11552
Vulnerability Analysis
The vulnerability exists in the administrative category management endpoint of code-projects Online Complaint Site 1.0. The Category request argument flows directly into a backend SQL query string without parameterization or input filtering. An attacker who can reach /admin/category.php over the network can append SQL syntax to break out of the original query context. Successful injection allows arbitrary read and write access to the underlying database used by the complaint management application.
The issue is reachable remotely but requires low-privileged authentication, as reflected in the CVSS 4.0 vector indicating PR:L. Impact is limited to the application database boundary, with no cross-system scope expansion. Public discussion on the GitHub CVE Issue tracker provides additional technical context.
Root Cause
The root cause is the concatenation of user-controlled input into a SQL statement inside category.php. The application does not use prepared statements or bound parameters for the Category value. Server-side validation, type checking, and output encoding are absent, allowing meta-characters such as single quotes and SQL keywords to alter query semantics.
Attack Vector
An authenticated attacker with access to the administrative interface submits a crafted value through the Category parameter when interacting with /admin/category.php. The injected payload modifies the resulting query to extract rows from arbitrary tables, enumerate the schema using UNION-based techniques, or perform boolean and time-based blind extraction. Because the endpoint is reachable over HTTP/HTTPS, the attack does not require local access or user interaction beyond holding valid admin-area credentials. No verified public proof-of-concept code is provided; see VulDB CTI ID #327711 for further technical references.
Detection Methods for CVE-2025-11552
Indicators of Compromise
- HTTP requests to /admin/category.php containing SQL meta-characters such as ', --, UNION SELECT, SLEEP(, or INFORMATION_SCHEMA in the Category parameter
- Unusual or repeated 500-class errors generated by category.php in web server logs
- Database query logs showing malformed statements referencing the Category column or category table
- Unexpected administrative session activity originating from atypical IP addresses or user agents
Detection Strategies
- Deploy web application firewall signatures that inspect the Category parameter for SQL injection patterns on the /admin/category.php route
- Enable database query logging and alert on syntactically anomalous statements issued by the application service account
- Correlate authentication events with subsequent administrative HTTP requests to identify credential abuse against the admin panel
Monitoring Recommendations
- Forward web server, PHP error, and database logs to a centralized analytics platform for retention and search
- Baseline normal category.php traffic volume and parameter values, then alert on deviations
- Monitor outbound connections from the database host that could indicate data exfiltration following injection
How to Mitigate CVE-2025-11552
Immediate Actions Required
- Restrict network exposure of /admin/ paths to trusted management networks or VPN ranges
- Rotate all administrative credentials for the Online Complaint Site application
- Audit the database for unauthorized rows, modified records, or new administrative accounts
- Review web server access logs for prior exploitation attempts referencing the Category parameter
Patch Information
No vendor-supplied patch has been published in the NVD record at the time of writing. Operators should monitor the code-projects security resources page and the GitHub CVE Issue Discussion for upstream fixes. Until a patch is released, code maintainers should refactor /admin/category.php to use parameterized queries through PDO or mysqli prepared statements.
Workarounds
- Place the administrative interface behind an authenticating reverse proxy and IP allowlist
- Apply a web application firewall rule that rejects requests where the Category parameter contains SQL meta-characters
- Run the application database account with the minimum privileges required, removing DROP, ALTER, and FILE permissions
- If feasible, remove the affected endpoint from production until a code fix is implemented
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
