CVE-2025-12378: Simple Food Ordering System RCE Vulnerability

CVE-2025-12378 Overview

A security vulnerability has been discovered in Fabian Simple Food Ordering System version 1.0. This issue affects the file /addproduct.php where improper validation of the photo argument allows attackers to upload arbitrary files without restrictions. The vulnerability can be exploited remotely over the network, and public exploit information is available, increasing the risk of widespread exploitation.

Critical Impact
Attackers can upload malicious files including web shells, potentially leading to complete server compromise, data theft, or use of the system as a pivot point for further attacks.

Affected Products

Fabian Simple Food Ordering System 1.0
code-projects Simple Food Ordering System 1.0

Discovery Timeline

2025-10-28 - CVE-2025-12378 published to NVD
2025-11-03 - Last updated in NVD database

Technical Details for CVE-2025-12378

Vulnerability Analysis

This vulnerability represents an Unrestricted File Upload weakness (CWE-434) combined with improper access control (CWE-284) in the product image upload functionality. The /addproduct.php endpoint fails to properly validate uploaded files through the photo parameter, allowing attackers to bypass intended file type restrictions.

The vulnerability exists because the application does not implement proper server-side validation of uploaded file content, file extensions, or MIME types. This allows an attacker to upload executable scripts (such as PHP web shells) disguised as legitimate image files or with directly executable extensions.

Root Cause

The root cause lies in insufficient input validation and access control mechanisms within the /addproduct.php file handling routine. The application appears to accept and store uploaded files without:

Validating file extensions against an allowlist of permitted image types
Verifying the actual file content matches the claimed file type (MIME type validation)
Implementing proper access controls to restrict who can upload files
Sanitizing filenames to prevent directory traversal or special character injection

Attack Vector

The attack can be initiated remotely over the network without requiring authentication. An attacker can craft a malicious HTTP POST request to the /addproduct.php endpoint with a specially crafted file in the photo parameter. The malicious file could be a PHP web shell or other server-side script that, once uploaded and accessed, provides the attacker with arbitrary code execution capabilities on the target server.

The attack flow typically involves:

Identifying the vulnerable upload endpoint at /addproduct.php
Crafting a malicious payload (e.g., PHP web shell) with an executable extension
Submitting the malicious file via the photo parameter
Locating and accessing the uploaded file to execute the payload

Technical details and proof-of-concept information are available through the GitHub CVE Issue Tracker and VulDB #330214.

Detection Methods for CVE-2025-12378

Indicators of Compromise

Unusual file uploads to the product image directory with executable extensions (.php, .phtml, .asp, .jsp)
Web server access logs showing POST requests to /addproduct.php with suspicious filenames
Presence of unexpected files in upload directories with PHP code or web shell signatures
Anomalous outbound connections from the web server to unknown IP addresses

Detection Strategies

Monitor file system changes in upload directories for newly created executable files
Implement web application firewall (WAF) rules to detect and block file upload attacks
Analyze HTTP request payloads for common web shell signatures and suspicious file extensions
Review web server access logs for repeated POST requests to /addproduct.php from unusual sources

Monitoring Recommendations

Enable detailed logging for all file upload operations including source IP, filename, and file size
Configure file integrity monitoring (FIM) on web-accessible directories to detect unauthorized file changes
Set up alerts for execution of newly uploaded files in the web root directory
Monitor for unusual process spawning from the web server process

How to Mitigate CVE-2025-12378

Immediate Actions Required

Remove or restrict access to the /addproduct.php endpoint until a patch is available
Implement IP-based access controls to limit upload functionality to trusted administrators only
Review upload directories for any suspicious files and remove unauthorized content
Deploy a Web Application Firewall (WAF) with rules to block malicious file uploads

Patch Information

No official vendor patch information is currently available for this vulnerability. Organizations using Fabian Simple Food Ordering System should implement the workarounds listed below and monitor the Code Projects Resource page for updates. Additional vulnerability details can be found at VulDB CTI ID #330214.

Workarounds

Implement server-side file extension allowlisting to only permit image files (.jpg, .jpeg, .png, .gif)
Add MIME type validation to verify uploaded file content matches expected image formats
Store uploaded files outside the web root directory to prevent direct execution
Rename uploaded files using random identifiers to prevent predictable file access
Configure the web server to prevent script execution in upload directories

bash

# Apache configuration to prevent PHP execution in uploads directory
# Add to .htaccess or Apache configuration
<Directory /var/www/html/uploads>
    php_admin_flag engine off
    <FilesMatch "\.ph(p[345]?|t|tml)$">
        Require all denied
    </FilesMatch>
</Directory>