CVE-2025-13344 Overview
A SQL Injection vulnerability has been identified in SourceCodester Train Station Ticketing System version 1.0. This vulnerability affects the login functionality within the /ajax.php?action=login endpoint, where improper handling of the Username parameter allows attackers to inject malicious SQL queries. The attack can be initiated remotely without authentication, potentially compromising the integrity and confidentiality of the underlying database.
Critical Impact
Unauthenticated remote attackers can exploit this SQL injection vulnerability to bypass authentication, extract sensitive data from the database, modify or delete records, and potentially gain unauthorized access to the ticketing system.
Affected Products
- SourceCodester Train Station Ticketing System 1.0
- oretnom23 train_station_ticketing_system
Discovery Timeline
- 2025-11-18 - CVE-2025-13344 published to NVD
- 2025-11-19 - Last updated in NVD database
Technical Details for CVE-2025-13344
Vulnerability Analysis
This SQL Injection vulnerability exists in the login authentication mechanism of the Train Station Ticketing System. The application fails to properly sanitize user-supplied input in the Username parameter before incorporating it into SQL queries. This classic input validation failure allows attackers to manipulate the SQL query structure by injecting malicious SQL code through the login form.
The 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 network-accessible attack vector combined with no authentication requirements makes this vulnerability particularly dangerous for exposed installations.
Root Cause
The root cause of this vulnerability is the lack of proper input validation and parameterized queries in the authentication logic. The Username parameter is directly concatenated or interpolated into the SQL query string without sanitization, escaping, or the use of prepared statements. This allows special SQL characters and commands to be interpreted as part of the query rather than as data.
Attack Vector
The vulnerability can be exploited remotely through the web interface by submitting crafted payloads to the /ajax.php?action=login endpoint. An attacker can manipulate the Username field with SQL injection payloads to:
- Bypass authentication by injecting conditions that always evaluate to true
- Extract database contents using UNION-based or error-based SQL injection techniques
- Enumerate database schema, tables, and sensitive user credentials
- Potentially modify or delete data if the database user has write permissions
The attack requires no prior authentication and can be performed by any user with network access to the application. Exploitation details have been documented in the GitHub CVE Issue Discussion and additional technical information is available through VulDB #332762.
Detection Methods for CVE-2025-13344
Indicators of Compromise
- Unusual or malformed login requests containing SQL syntax characters such as single quotes ('), double dashes (--), semicolons (;), or SQL keywords like UNION, SELECT, OR 1=1
- Multiple failed login attempts followed by successful authentication from the same IP address
- Database error messages appearing in application logs or responses indicating SQL syntax errors
- Abnormal database query patterns or increased query execution times
Detection Strategies
- Implement Web Application Firewall (WAF) rules to detect and block common SQL injection patterns in HTTP requests
- Monitor application logs for requests to /ajax.php?action=login containing suspicious characters or SQL keywords
- Deploy database activity monitoring to detect anomalous query patterns or unauthorized data access
- Configure intrusion detection systems (IDS) with signatures for SQL injection attack patterns
Monitoring Recommendations
- Enable detailed logging for the /ajax.php endpoint and review logs regularly for injection attempts
- Set up alerts for authentication anomalies such as successful logins from previously failing IP addresses
- Monitor database audit logs for unusual SELECT statements or access to sensitive tables
- Implement real-time alerting for any database errors returned by the application
How to Mitigate CVE-2025-13344
Immediate Actions Required
- Restrict network access to the Train Station Ticketing System to trusted IP addresses only
- Implement a Web Application Firewall (WAF) with SQL injection protection rules
- Review and audit all user accounts for unauthorized access or creation
- Consider taking the application offline if it contains sensitive data until a patch is available
Patch Information
No official vendor patch has been released for this vulnerability at the time of publication. Users should monitor the SourceCodester website for security updates. Given the nature of SourceCodester applications as educational/demo software, organizations using this system in production environments should consider migrating to a more actively maintained ticketing solution.
Additional vulnerability details and community discussions can be found at:
Workarounds
- Implement input validation at the application level by modifying the PHP code to use prepared statements with parameterized queries
- Deploy a reverse proxy or WAF in front of the application to filter malicious input
- Apply database-level restrictions by using a dedicated database user with minimal required privileges (principle of least privilege)
- If source code access is available, sanitize the Username parameter using appropriate escaping functions such as mysqli_real_escape_string() or switch to PDO with prepared statements
# Example: Restrict access to the vulnerable endpoint using Apache .htaccess
# Add to .htaccess in the application root directory
<Files "ajax.php">
Order Deny,Allow
Deny from all
Allow from 192.168.1.0/24
# Replace with your trusted network range
</Files>
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
