CVE-2025-45542: CloudClassroom-PHP SQL Injection Flaw

CVE-2025-45542 Overview

CVE-2025-45542 is a SQL injection vulnerability affecting the registrationform endpoint in CloudClassroom-PHP-Project v1.0. The vulnerability exists due to improper input validation of the pass parameter, enabling attackers to inject arbitrary SQL queries. This time-based blind SQL injection flaw allows unauthenticated remote attackers to manipulate database queries, potentially leading to unauthorized data access, data modification, or complete database compromise.

Critical Impact

Unauthenticated attackers can exploit this SQL injection vulnerability to extract sensitive data, modify database records, or potentially escalate to remote code execution through database features.

Affected Products

• Vishalmathur CloudClassroom-PHP-Project v1.0
• PHP-based classroom management systems using the vulnerable codebase

Discovery Timeline

• June 2, 2025 - CVE-2025-45542 published to NVD
• June 13, 2025 - Last updated in NVD database

Technical Details for CVE-2025-45542

Vulnerability Analysis

This SQL injection vulnerability resides in the user registration functionality of CloudClassroom-PHP-Project. The pass parameter in the registrationform endpoint fails to properly sanitize user-supplied input before incorporating it into SQL queries. Attackers can exploit this weakness using time-based blind SQL injection techniques, where the application's response timing reveals information about the underlying database structure and contents.

The vulnerability is exploitable over the network without any authentication requirements or user interaction. Successful exploitation could lead to unauthorized disclosure of sensitive information stored in the database (such as user credentials, student records, and course data), modification of existing records, or deletion of database content. In certain database configurations, attackers may be able to leverage this vulnerability to achieve command execution on the underlying server.

Root Cause

The root cause of this vulnerability is a classic CWE-89 (SQL Injection) implementation flaw where user-controlled input from the pass parameter is directly concatenated into SQL query strings without proper sanitization, parameterization, or prepared statements. The application fails to implement input validation or use database abstraction layers that would prevent malicious SQL from being executed.

Attack Vector

The attack can be performed remotely over the network by sending crafted HTTP requests to the registrationform endpoint. Attackers manipulate the pass parameter to inject SQL commands that execute within the context of the database connection. Time-based blind SQL injection is particularly effective here, as the attacker can infer database information by measuring response delays caused by injected SLEEP() or similar database-specific timing functions.

The vulnerability allows an attacker to systematically extract database contents character by character, enumerate tables and columns, and potentially escalate privileges depending on the database user permissions. External references including the Medium CVE-2025-45542 Analysis and the Full Disclosure Mailing List Post provide additional technical details on exploitation methods.

Detection Methods for CVE-2025-45542

Indicators of Compromise

• Unusual HTTP POST requests to the registrationform endpoint containing SQL syntax in the pass parameter
• Database query logs showing abnormal response times or SLEEP() function calls
• Failed registration attempts with SQL-like special characters (', ", --, ;, OR, AND, UNION)
• Elevated database CPU usage or timeout errors correlating with registration form submissions

Detection Strategies

• Deploy Web Application Firewall (WAF) rules to detect SQL injection patterns in form submissions targeting the registration endpoint
• Implement database query logging and alerting for anomalous query patterns, excessive query times, or unauthorized data access attempts
• Monitor application logs for registration form submissions containing SQL metacharacters or injection payloads
• Use intrusion detection systems (IDS) with SQL injection signature rules for traffic analysis

Monitoring Recommendations

• Enable detailed logging on the web server for all POST requests to /registrationform and related endpoints
• Configure database auditing to track query execution times and flag queries exceeding normal thresholds
• Set up alerts for multiple failed registration attempts from the same IP address within short time windows
• Implement application-level monitoring to detect unusual patterns in form field lengths or character compositions

How to Mitigate CVE-2025-45542

Immediate Actions Required

• Restrict or temporarily disable public access to the registrationform endpoint until a patch is applied
• Implement WAF rules to block requests containing SQL injection patterns in the pass parameter
• Review database user permissions and apply the principle of least privilege to limit potential damage from SQL injection
• Audit database access logs for signs of prior exploitation attempts

Patch Information

At the time of publication, no official patch has been released by the vendor. Organizations using CloudClassroom-PHP-Project v1.0 should monitor the GitHub Project Repository for security updates. Until a patch becomes available, implementing the workarounds below is strongly recommended.

Workarounds

• Modify the application code to use prepared statements or parameterized queries for all database interactions involving user input
• Implement server-side input validation to reject the pass parameter if it contains SQL metacharacters or exceeds expected length limits
• Deploy a reverse proxy or WAF with SQL injection detection capabilities to filter malicious requests before they reach the application
• Consider migrating to a maintained learning management system if the project is no longer actively developed

# Example WAF rule for ModSecurity to block SQL injection attempts
SecRule ARGS:pass "@detectSQLi" \
    "id:100001,\
    phase:2,\
    deny,\
    status:403,\
    log,\
    msg:'SQL Injection attempt detected in pass parameter',\
    tag:'CVE-2025-45542'"