CVE-2025-11584: Online Job Search Engine SQLi Vulnerability

CVE-2025-11584 Overview

A SQL Injection vulnerability has been identified in code-projects Online Job Search Engine version 1.0. The vulnerability exists in the /searchjob.php file, where the txtspecialization parameter is not properly sanitized before being used in database queries. This allows remote attackers to inject malicious SQL statements and potentially compromise the underlying database.

Critical Impact

Remote attackers can exploit this SQL Injection vulnerability to extract sensitive data, modify database contents, or potentially gain unauthorized access to the backend system without authentication.

Affected Products

• Fabian Online Job Search Engine 1.0
• code-projects Online Job Search Engine 1.0

Discovery Timeline

• October 10, 2025 - CVE-2025-11584 published to NVD
• October 23, 2025 - Last updated in NVD database

Technical Details for CVE-2025-11584

Vulnerability Analysis

This SQL Injection vulnerability (CWE-89) affects the job search functionality in the Online Job Search Engine application. The root cause stems from improper neutralization of special elements used in SQL commands (CWE-74). The vulnerability can be exploited remotely over the network without requiring authentication or user interaction, making it accessible to any attacker who can reach the vulnerable endpoint.

The vulnerable parameter txtspecialization appears to be used directly in a database query without proper input validation or parameterized queries, allowing attackers to break out of the intended query structure and execute arbitrary SQL commands.

Root Cause

The vulnerability originates from insufficient input validation in the /searchjob.php file. The txtspecialization argument is incorporated directly into SQL queries without proper sanitization or the use of prepared statements. This classic SQL Injection pattern occurs when user-controlled input is concatenated into SQL queries rather than being treated as data through parameterized queries.

Attack Vector

The attack can be executed remotely over the network by an unauthenticated attacker. By crafting malicious input containing SQL metacharacters and injection payloads in the txtspecialization parameter, an attacker can manipulate the backend SQL query to perform unauthorized operations. This could include extracting sensitive user data, bypassing authentication mechanisms, modifying or deleting database records, or in some configurations, executing system commands on the database server.

The vulnerability is publicly disclosed with exploit details available, as documented in the GitHub CVE Issue Tracker. Additional technical details are available through VulDB #327906.

Detection Methods for CVE-2025-11584

Indicators of Compromise

• Unusual SQL error messages in web server logs originating from /searchjob.php
• Requests to /searchjob.php containing SQL metacharacters such as single quotes, semicolons, or UNION keywords in the txtspecialization parameter
• Unexpected database query patterns or increased database load
• Evidence of data exfiltration or unauthorized database access in audit logs

Detection Strategies

• Deploy Web Application Firewall (WAF) rules to detect and block SQL Injection attempts targeting the txtspecialization parameter
• Implement application-level logging to capture all requests to /searchjob.php with full parameter values
• Configure database monitoring to alert on unusual query patterns or failed authentication attempts
• Use intrusion detection systems (IDS) with signatures for common SQL Injection payloads

Monitoring Recommendations

• Enable verbose logging on the web application and database servers to capture potential exploitation attempts
• Monitor for sudden spikes in database queries or connections originating from the web application
• Set up alerting for HTTP requests containing common SQL Injection patterns in URL parameters
• Review database audit logs regularly for unauthorized data access or schema modifications

How to Mitigate CVE-2025-11584

Immediate Actions Required

• Restrict access to /searchjob.php until a patch is available or input validation is implemented
• Deploy WAF rules to filter malicious input targeting the txtspecialization parameter
• Implement network-level access controls to limit exposure of the vulnerable application
• Review database permissions to ensure the application uses least-privilege database accounts

Patch Information

No official vendor patch has been released at this time. Monitor the Code Projects website for security updates. Organizations using this software should consider implementing the workarounds below or migrating to a more actively maintained solution.

Workarounds

• Implement server-side input validation to sanitize the txtspecialization parameter before use in database queries
• Modify the application code to use parameterized queries or prepared statements instead of string concatenation
• Deploy a Web Application Firewall (WAF) in front of the application with SQL Injection detection rules enabled
• Temporarily disable or restrict access to the job search functionality until the vulnerability is remediated

# Example WAF rule to block SQL Injection attempts (ModSecurity)
SecRule ARGS:txtspecialization "@detectSQLi" \
    "id:1001,\
    phase:2,\
    block,\
    msg:'SQL Injection attempt detected in txtspecialization parameter',\
    logdata:'%{MATCHED_VAR}',\
    severity:'CRITICAL'"