CVE-2025-13583: Question Paper Generator SQL Injection

CVE-2025-13583 Overview

A SQL Injection vulnerability has been identified in Carmelo Question Paper Generator version 1.0. This security flaw affects the /signupscript.php file within the POST Parameter Handler component. By manipulating the Fname argument, an attacker can inject malicious SQL commands into the application. The vulnerability is remotely exploitable, and exploit information has been made publicly available, increasing the risk of active exploitation.

Critical Impact

Remote attackers can exploit this SQL Injection vulnerability to manipulate database queries, potentially leading to unauthorized data access, data modification, or complete database compromise without authentication.

Affected Products

• Carmelo Question Paper Generator 1.0

Discovery Timeline

• November 24, 2025 - CVE-2025-13583 published to NVD
• December 2, 2025 - Last updated in NVD database

Technical Details for CVE-2025-13583

Vulnerability Analysis

This vulnerability is classified under CWE-89 (SQL Injection) and CWE-74 (Improper Neutralization of Special Elements in Output Used by a Downstream Component). The flaw exists in the signup functionality of the Question Paper Generator application, specifically within the /signupscript.php endpoint. When user-supplied input is passed through the Fname POST parameter, the application fails to properly sanitize or parameterize the input before incorporating it into SQL queries.

The network-accessible nature of this vulnerability means attackers can exploit it remotely without requiring any prior authentication or special privileges. The publicly disclosed exploit details further increase the risk profile, as malicious actors have access to the information needed to craft attack payloads.

Root Cause

The root cause of this vulnerability is improper input validation and the absence of parameterized queries in the /signupscript.php file. The application directly concatenates user-controlled input from the Fname POST parameter into SQL statements without adequate sanitization. This classic SQL Injection pattern allows attackers to break out of the intended query structure and inject arbitrary SQL commands.

Attack Vector

This vulnerability is exploitable over the network through the POST Parameter Handler component. An attacker can craft a malicious HTTP POST request to the /signupscript.php endpoint, injecting SQL syntax through the Fname parameter. The attack requires no user interaction and no prior authentication, making it accessible to any remote attacker who can reach the application.

The vulnerable parameter handling allows attackers to modify the logic of SQL queries executed by the application. Depending on the database configuration and application privileges, successful exploitation could allow attackers to extract sensitive data, modify or delete database records, or potentially escalate to operating system command execution in certain configurations.

Technical details regarding the exploitation methodology are documented in the GitHub Issue #6 Discussion and VulDB #333347.

Detection Methods for CVE-2025-13583

Indicators of Compromise

• Anomalous POST requests to /signupscript.php containing SQL syntax characters such as single quotes, double dashes, semicolons, or UNION keywords in the Fname parameter
• Database error messages appearing in application logs or responses indicating malformed SQL queries
• Unusual database query patterns or unexpected data access recorded in database audit logs
• Web server access logs showing repeated requests to /signupscript.php from the same source with varying Fname values

Detection Strategies

• Deploy Web Application Firewall (WAF) rules to detect and block SQL Injection patterns in POST requests targeting /signupscript.php
• Implement database activity monitoring to identify anomalous query patterns or unauthorized data access attempts
• Configure intrusion detection systems to alert on common SQL Injection payloads in HTTP POST bodies
• Enable verbose logging on web and database servers to capture detailed request and query information for forensic analysis

Monitoring Recommendations

• Monitor HTTP traffic for POST requests to /signupscript.php with suspicious Fname parameter values
• Review database logs for queries containing unexpected SQL keywords or syntax errors
• Implement alerting for failed authentication attempts or database permission errors that may indicate exploitation attempts
• Track application performance metrics for unusual spikes that could indicate automated SQL Injection scanning

How to Mitigate CVE-2025-13583

Immediate Actions Required

• Restrict access to the Question Paper Generator application until patches or fixes are applied
• Implement input validation and WAF rules to filter malicious input to the /signupscript.php endpoint
• Review and audit database user permissions to apply the principle of least privilege
• Enable detailed logging and monitoring on systems running the affected software

Patch Information

At the time of publication, no official vendor patch has been released for CVE-2025-13583. Organizations using Carmelo Question Paper Generator 1.0 should monitor the Code Projects website for security updates. Given the publicly available exploit information, implementing compensating controls is strongly recommended until an official fix is available.

Workarounds

• Deploy a Web Application Firewall (WAF) with SQL Injection detection rules to protect the vulnerable endpoint
• Implement server-side input validation to sanitize or reject Fname parameter values containing SQL metacharacters
• Restrict network access to the application using firewall rules or VPN requirements to limit exposure
• Consider temporarily disabling the signup functionality if it is not critical to operations until a proper fix is implemented
• Modify the application source code to use parameterized queries or prepared statements for all database interactions involving user input

Organizations should consult VulDB CTI #333347 for additional technical guidance on this vulnerability.