CVE-2025-12294 Overview
A SQL injection vulnerability has been discovered in SourceCodester Point of Sales version 1.0. The vulnerability exists in the /delete_category.php file where the ID parameter is not properly sanitized before being used in SQL queries. This allows remote attackers to manipulate database queries, potentially leading to unauthorized data access, modification, or deletion.
Critical Impact
Remote attackers with elevated privileges can exploit this SQL injection vulnerability to compromise the database backend of the Point of Sales application, potentially accessing sensitive transaction data, customer information, and manipulating business records.
Affected Products
- Janobe Point of Sales 1.0
- SourceCodester Point of Sales implementations using /delete_category.php
Discovery Timeline
- 2025-10-27 - CVE-2025-12294 published to NVD
- 2025-11-03 - Last updated in NVD database
Technical Details for CVE-2025-12294
Vulnerability Analysis
This vulnerability is classified under CWE-89 (Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an SQL Command) and CWE-74 (Improper Neutralization of Special Elements in Output Used by a Downstream Component). The flaw resides in the /delete_category.php endpoint where the ID parameter is directly incorporated into SQL statements without proper input validation or parameterized queries.
The vulnerability can be exploited remotely over the network with low attack complexity. An attacker with high privileges on the application can inject malicious SQL code through the ID parameter, allowing them to execute arbitrary SQL commands against the underlying database. The exploit has been publicly disclosed, increasing the risk of active exploitation.
Root Cause
The root cause is improper input validation in the /delete_category.php file. The application fails to sanitize or parameterize user-supplied input in the ID argument before constructing SQL queries. This classic SQL injection pattern allows attackers to break out of the intended query structure and inject additional SQL commands.
Attack Vector
The attack is network-based, requiring the attacker to send crafted HTTP requests to the vulnerable endpoint. The exploitation involves manipulating the ID parameter in requests to /delete_category.php. When the application processes this input, the malicious SQL code is executed against the database.
The vulnerability allows attackers to potentially:
- Extract sensitive data from the database
- Modify or delete records
- Bypass authentication mechanisms
- Escalate privileges within the application
For technical details on the exploitation method, refer to the GitHub CVE Issue Discussion and VulDB #329962.
Detection Methods for CVE-2025-12294
Indicators of Compromise
- Unusual or malformed requests to /delete_category.php containing SQL syntax characters such as single quotes ('), double dashes (--), or UNION statements
- Database error messages appearing in application logs indicating SQL syntax errors
- Unexpected changes to category data or database records
- Anomalous database queries with suspicious patterns in database logs
Detection Strategies
- Implement Web Application Firewall (WAF) rules to detect SQL injection patterns in the ID parameter
- Monitor HTTP access logs for requests to /delete_category.php containing encoded or suspicious characters
- Enable database query logging and alert on malformed or unauthorized SQL statements
- Deploy intrusion detection signatures for common SQL injection payloads
Monitoring Recommendations
- Configure alerting for repeated failed SQL queries or database errors
- Monitor for bulk data extraction patterns or unusual SELECT query volumes
- Implement real-time log analysis for the Point of Sales application
- Track authentication and authorization events for privilege escalation attempts
How to Mitigate CVE-2025-12294
Immediate Actions Required
- Restrict network access to the Point of Sales application to trusted IP addresses only
- Implement input validation on all user-supplied parameters, especially the ID argument in /delete_category.php
- Deploy a Web Application Firewall with SQL injection protection enabled
- Review database user permissions and apply the principle of least privilege
- Back up the database before implementing any changes
Patch Information
As of the last update on 2025-11-03, no official vendor patch has been released for this vulnerability. Organizations using SourceCodester Point of Sales 1.0 should implement the workarounds below and monitor SourceCodester for security updates. Additional technical information is available via VulDB CTI ID #329962.
Workarounds
- Implement parameterized queries (prepared statements) in the /delete_category.php file to prevent SQL injection
- Add server-side input validation to ensure the ID parameter contains only numeric values
- Deploy a WAF rule to block requests with SQL injection patterns targeting the vulnerable endpoint
- Consider disabling or restricting access to the /delete_category.php functionality until a patch is available
# Example WAF rule to block SQL injection attempts (ModSecurity)
SecRule ARGS:ID "@rx ['\";]|--|\b(union|select|insert|delete|drop|update)\b" \
"id:100001,phase:2,deny,status:403,msg:'SQL Injection attempt on delete_category.php'"
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
