CVE-2025-5431 Overview
CVE-2025-5431 is a SQL injection vulnerability in AssamLook CMS version 1.0. The flaw resides in the /department-profile.php script, where the ID parameter is concatenated into a database query without proper sanitization. Remote attackers can manipulate the ID argument to inject arbitrary SQL statements against the backend database.
The exploit details have been publicly disclosed, increasing the likelihood of opportunistic attacks. The vendor was contacted prior to disclosure but did not respond. 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 read, modify, or exfiltrate database contents through the unsanitized ID parameter in /department-profile.php.
Affected Products
- AssamLook CMS 1.0
- Component: department-profile.php
- Vendor: AssamLook (unresponsive to disclosure)
Discovery Timeline
- 2025-06-02 - CVE-2025-5431 published to NVD
- 2025-06-17 - Last updated in NVD database
Technical Details for CVE-2025-5431
Vulnerability Analysis
The vulnerability is a classic SQL injection in the department-profile.php endpoint of AssamLook CMS 1.0. The application accepts user-supplied input through the ID parameter and passes it directly into a SQL query without parameterization or input validation.
Attackers can send crafted HTTP requests containing SQL syntax in the ID value. The database executes the injected statements with the privileges of the application's database user. Depending on the configured account, this can expose user records, configuration tables, and potentially allow data modification.
The attack requires network access and low privileges, but no user interaction. A public proof-of-concept is available in the GitHub PoC Repository, which lowers the skill threshold for exploitation. The EPSS probability is 0.136%.
Root Cause
The root cause is direct string concatenation of the ID request parameter into a SQL statement in department-profile.php. The code path does not use prepared statements, parameter binding, or input filtering. This pattern aligns with [CWE-89], where untrusted input modifies query structure rather than acting purely as data.
Attack Vector
An attacker sends an HTTP GET request to /department-profile.php with a malicious ID value. Typical payloads include boolean-based, UNION-based, or time-based blind SQL injection patterns. The request can be issued remotely over the network without authentication beyond the low-privilege requirement noted in the CVSS vector.
For full payload syntax and reproduction steps, refer to the GitHub PoC Repository and the VulDB CTI Report #310764.
Detection Methods for CVE-2025-5431
Indicators of Compromise
- HTTP requests to /department-profile.php containing SQL metacharacters such as ', --, UNION, SELECT, SLEEP(, or OR 1=1 in the ID parameter.
- Web server access logs showing unusually long ID values or URL-encoded SQL keywords from a single source IP.
- Database error messages referencing syntax errors near the department-profile query path.
- Outbound database traffic spikes or large result sets returned to anonymous web sessions.
Detection Strategies
- Deploy WAF signatures that inspect query strings for /department-profile.php and flag SQL keywords in the ID parameter.
- Enable database query logging and alert on UNION SELECT or stacked queries originating from the CMS database user.
- Correlate web access logs with database audit logs to identify injected statements tied to specific HTTP requests.
Monitoring Recommendations
- Monitor for repeated 500-series HTTP responses from /department-profile.php, which indicate failed injection attempts.
- Alert on time-based blind SQLi patterns where responses to department-profile.php exceed normal latency thresholds.
- Track requests to the endpoint from threat-intelligence-flagged IP addresses and known scanner user agents.
How to Mitigate CVE-2025-5431
Immediate Actions Required
- Restrict public access to /department-profile.php using network ACLs or a reverse proxy until a fix is in place.
- Deploy a WAF rule set that blocks SQL injection payloads targeting the ID parameter.
- Audit the CMS database account and reduce its privileges to the minimum required, removing write or admin rights where possible.
- Review web and database logs for prior exploitation attempts referencing department-profile.php.
Patch Information
No vendor patch is available. The vendor did not respond to disclosure attempts, as documented in the VulDB #310764 report. Organizations running AssamLook CMS 1.0 should evaluate migrating to an actively maintained CMS or applying source-level fixes by replacing concatenated queries with parameterized statements.
Workarounds
- Modify department-profile.php to cast ID to an integer before use, for example $id = (int)$_GET['ID'];, and use prepared statements with bound parameters.
- Place the application behind a WAF configured with OWASP Core Rule Set SQLi protections.
- Disable verbose database error reporting in the PHP configuration to limit information returned to attackers.
- Isolate the CMS database on a dedicated host with strict egress filtering to limit data exfiltration impact.
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
