CVE-2025-52664: Revive Adserver SQL Injection Vulnerability

CVE-2025-52664 Overview

CVE-2025-52664 is a SQL injection vulnerability in Revive Adserver 6.0.0, an open-source ad serving platform. Authenticated users can submit specifically crafted payloads that manipulate database queries. Successful exploitation enables disruption of service or unauthorized access to information stored in the backend database.

The flaw is classified under [CWE-89] (Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an SQL Command). It requires low privileges and no user interaction, with network-based exploitation possible against the adserver's web interface.

Critical Impact
Authenticated attackers can read, modify, or destroy database contents, including advertiser data, campaign statistics, and user credentials stored within Revive Adserver.

Affected Products

Revive Adserver 6.0.0
revive-adserver:revive_adserver (CPE: cpe:2.3:a:revive-adserver:revive_adserver:6.0.0)
Deployments exposing the authenticated admin interface to untrusted users

Discovery Timeline

2025-10-31 - CVE-2025-52664 published to NVD
2025-12-01 - Last updated in NVD database

Technical Details for CVE-2025-52664

Vulnerability Analysis

The vulnerability resides in Revive Adserver 6.0.0 input handling paths that construct SQL statements from user-supplied parameters. An authenticated user can submit a crafted payload that breaks out of the intended query context. The database then executes attacker-controlled SQL fragments alongside legitimate queries.

Because Revive Adserver stores advertising campaign data, publisher accounts, and administrative credentials, the impact extends to confidentiality, integrity, and availability of the full dataset. The attacker only needs low-privilege authenticated access, which Revive Adserver grants to advertiser and publisher roles by design.

Root Cause

The root cause is improper neutralization of special characters in SQL statements [CWE-89]. Input received from authenticated sessions is concatenated into queries without parameterized binding or sufficient escaping. This allows metacharacters such as single quotes, comments, and UNION clauses to alter query structure.

Attack Vector

An authenticated attacker sends a crafted HTTP request to a vulnerable endpoint in the Revive Adserver web application. The malicious payload is embedded in a parameter that flows into a SQL query. The database engine executes the injected statement, returning data or modifying records based on the attacker's intent.

Technical details and proof-of-concept material are documented in the HackerOne Report #3395221 and the Full Disclosure Security Mailing List.

Detection Methods for CVE-2025-52664

Indicators of Compromise

HTTP requests from authenticated sessions containing SQL metacharacters such as ', --, /*, UNION SELECT, or OR 1=1 targeting Revive Adserver endpoints
Database error messages logged by Revive Adserver referencing syntax errors near user-supplied input
Unexpected SELECT queries returning large result sets or INFORMATION_SCHEMA references from the adserver database user
Anomalous data exports or modifications performed by low-privilege advertiser or publisher accounts

Detection Strategies

Enable verbose web server and application logging on Revive Adserver instances to capture full request URIs and POST bodies
Deploy a web application firewall with SQL injection signatures in front of the adserver admin interface
Compare baseline query patterns from the Revive Adserver database user against current activity using database audit logs

Monitoring Recommendations

Alert on authenticated sessions generating database errors at elevated rates
Monitor outbound data volumes from the Revive Adserver host for signs of bulk extraction
Track creation of new administrative accounts or privilege changes within the Revive Adserver users table

How to Mitigate CVE-2025-52664

Immediate Actions Required

Restrict access to the Revive Adserver administrative interface to trusted networks using IP allowlisting or VPN
Audit existing user accounts and remove unused advertiser or publisher accounts that could be leveraged for authenticated exploitation
Rotate database credentials and administrative passwords if exploitation is suspected
Review the HackerOne Report #3395221 and the Full Disclosure advisory for vendor guidance

Patch Information

At the time of NVD publication, the advisory references the HackerOne Report #3395221 and the Full Disclosure Security Mailing List. Administrators should consult the Revive Adserver project for the latest fixed release and upgrade from version 6.0.0 to a patched build as soon as one is available.

Workarounds

Place Revive Adserver behind a web application firewall configured to block SQL injection patterns
Limit database account privileges used by Revive Adserver to the minimum required, preventing DROP, ALTER, or cross-schema access
Disable self-service account registration to reduce the pool of authenticated users capable of triggering the flaw
Increase logging retention and forward web and database logs to a centralized analysis platform for review

bash

# Example: restrict Revive Adserver admin path to an internal CIDR using nginx
location /www/admin/ {
    allow 10.0.0.0/8;
    deny all;
    proxy_pass http://revive_backend;
}