CVE-2025-13279 Overview
CVE-2025-13279 is a SQL injection vulnerability in code-projects Nero Social Networking Site 1.0. The flaw resides in the /profilefriends.php script, where the ID parameter is passed directly into a database query without proper sanitization. An authenticated remote attacker can manipulate this parameter to inject arbitrary SQL statements. The exploit has been publicly disclosed, increasing the likelihood of opportunistic attempts against exposed instances. The vulnerability is tracked under [CWE-89] (SQL Injection) and [CWE-74] (Improper Neutralization of Special Elements in Output).
Critical Impact
Remote attackers with low-privilege access can manipulate the ID parameter on /profilefriends.php to execute arbitrary SQL queries against the backend database.
Affected Products
- Fabian Nero Social Networking Site 1.0
- CPE: cpe:2.3:a:fabian:nero_social_networking_site:1.0
- Component: profilefriends.php
Discovery Timeline
- 2025-11-17 - CVE-2025-13279 published to NVD
- 2026-04-29 - Last updated in NVD database
Technical Details for CVE-2025-13279
Vulnerability Analysis
The vulnerability exists within the /profilefriends.php endpoint of the Nero Social Networking Site application. The script accepts an ID parameter via HTTP request and concatenates the value directly into a SQL statement. Because the application does not use prepared statements or input validation, attackers can append SQL operators, UNION clauses, or boolean conditions to alter query logic. Successful exploitation enables reading database contents, enumerating user records, or modifying stored data depending on database privileges.
Root Cause
The root cause is improper neutralization of special characters used in a SQL command [CWE-89]. The ID argument is treated as trusted input and inserted into a query string without parameterization or escaping. This is a classic injection pattern in PHP applications that interact with MySQL or MariaDB through string interpolation rather than parameterized APIs such as PDO or mysqli_prepare.
Attack Vector
The attack vector is network-based and requires low privileges, meaning the attacker must hold a valid user session to reach /profilefriends.php. No user interaction is required. A remote attacker submits a crafted HTTP request containing malicious SQL payloads in the ID parameter. Because exploit details have been made public, automated scanners can readily identify and target exposed instances.
The vulnerability manifests when the ID parameter is appended to a SQL query inside profilefriends.php. Refer to the GitHub Project Report and VulDB #332614 for full technical details.
Detection Methods for CVE-2025-13279
Indicators of Compromise
- HTTP requests to /profilefriends.php containing SQL metacharacters in the ID parameter, such as single quotes, UNION SELECT, OR 1=1, or comment sequences (--, #).
- Database error messages returned in HTTP responses referencing MySQL syntax errors near user-supplied input.
- Anomalous database query patterns, including unusually large result sets or queries against unrelated tables originating from the web application user.
Detection Strategies
- Deploy web application firewall (WAF) rules that inspect query string and POST parameters targeting profilefriends.php for SQL injection signatures.
- Enable database query logging and alert on queries containing unexpected UNION, INFORMATION_SCHEMA references, or sleep-based time delays.
- Correlate authentication events with subsequent abnormal requests to profilefriends.php to identify low-privileged accounts probing the endpoint.
Monitoring Recommendations
- Monitor web server access logs for repeated requests to /profilefriends.php from a single source with varying ID values.
- Track outbound database traffic volume from the application host to detect bulk data exfiltration.
- Alert on PHP error log entries indicating SQL syntax failures, which often accompany injection probing.
How to Mitigate CVE-2025-13279
Immediate Actions Required
- Restrict access to /profilefriends.php through network controls or authentication gateways until a fix is applied.
- Audit user accounts and database logs for evidence of injection attempts since the application became reachable.
- Rotate database credentials if logs indicate any successful exploitation activity.
Patch Information
No vendor patch is currently listed for code-projects Nero Social Networking Site 1.0. Administrators should monitor the GitHub Nero Project Repository and Code Projects Resource for updates. In the absence of an official fix, code-level remediation is required: replace string-concatenated queries with prepared statements using PDO or mysqli with bound parameters, and apply strict type validation on the ID parameter.
Workarounds
- Enforce server-side input validation that ensures the ID parameter contains only integer values before reaching the database query.
- Deploy a WAF with SQL injection rule sets in blocking mode for the affected endpoint.
- Apply the principle of least privilege to the database account used by the application, limiting it to required SELECT operations on specific tables.
# Example WAF rule (ModSecurity) to block SQLi attempts against profilefriends.php
SecRule REQUEST_URI "@contains /profilefriends.php" \
"chain,phase:2,deny,status:403,id:1013279,msg:'Possible SQLi on profilefriends.php ID parameter'"
SecRule ARGS:ID "@detectSQLi" "t:none"
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
