CVE-2025-5560 Overview
CVE-2025-5560 is a SQL injection vulnerability in PHPGurukul Curfew e-Pass Management System version 1.0. The flaw resides in the /index.php script, where the searchdata parameter is passed directly into a backend SQL query without sanitization. Remote attackers can manipulate this parameter to alter query logic, extract database contents, or modify stored records. The exploit has been publicly disclosed, increasing the likelihood of opportunistic abuse against exposed installations. The vulnerability is tracked under CWE-74: Improper Neutralization of Special Elements in Output Used by a Downstream Component.
Critical Impact
Unauthenticated remote attackers can inject arbitrary SQL through the searchdata parameter, compromising the confidentiality and integrity of the application database.
Affected Products
- PHPGurukul Curfew e-Pass Management System 1.0
- Deployments referencing cpe:2.3:a:phpgurukul:curfew_e-pass_management_system:1.0
- Web-facing instances exposing /index.php with the searchdata parameter
Discovery Timeline
- 2025-06-04 - CVE-2025-5560 published to NVD
- 2025-06-10 - Last updated in NVD database
Technical Details for CVE-2025-5560
Vulnerability Analysis
The vulnerability exists in an unspecified function inside /index.php that processes search requests. The application concatenates the searchdata HTTP parameter into a SQL statement without using parameterized queries or input validation. An attacker submitting crafted input through the search field can break out of the intended query context and append additional SQL clauses.
Because the application does not require authentication to reach the affected endpoint, the attack can be launched remotely over the network with low complexity. The public disclosure of exploitation details means proof-of-concept payloads are accessible through references such as the GitHub issue tracker and VulDB entry #311010.
The EPSS data indicates a probability of 0.204% with a percentile of 42.3, reflecting moderate likelihood of opportunistic exploitation against exposed deployments.
Root Cause
The root cause is improper neutralization of special elements in user-supplied input. The searchdata value is interpolated directly into a SQL query string, allowing SQL metacharacters such as single quotes, UNION, and comment sequences to alter query semantics. The codebase does not use prepared statements or escape user input.
Attack Vector
An attacker sends an HTTP request to /index.php supplying a malicious searchdata value. Payloads can be tailored to enumerate database schemas, extract user credentials, or perform boolean-based and time-based blind injection. Successful exploitation does not require user interaction or prior privileges. Refer to the VulDB CTI record for additional technical context.
Detection Methods for CVE-2025-5560
Indicators of Compromise
- Web server access logs containing SQL metacharacters such as ', --, UNION SELECT, SLEEP(, or BENCHMARK( in requests to /index.php
- Unusual searchdata parameter values with encoded payloads or excessive length
- Unexpected database errors or 500 responses correlated with search requests
- Outbound database queries returning abnormally large result sets following search traffic
Detection Strategies
- Deploy a web application firewall ruleset that inspects query string and POST parameters for SQL injection signatures targeting /index.php
- Enable verbose database query logging to identify malformed or unexpected SELECT statements originating from the application user
- Correlate web access logs with database authentication failures and schema enumeration queries
Monitoring Recommendations
- Alert on repeated 4xx or 5xx responses from /index.php from the same source IP
- Monitor for sequential requests containing SQL keywords against the search endpoint
- Track database accounts used by the application for unusual table access patterns, especially against credential or session tables
How to Mitigate CVE-2025-5560
Immediate Actions Required
- Restrict public exposure of the Curfew e-Pass Management System until a vendor patch is verified
- Place the application behind a WAF with SQL injection rules enabled for the searchdata parameter
- Audit the database user account used by the application and revoke unnecessary privileges such as FILE, DROP, or cross-database access
- Review historical web and database logs for indicators of prior exploitation
Patch Information
No official vendor patch is referenced in the NVD entry at the time of publication. Administrators should monitor the PHPGurukul site for updated releases and apply remediation when available. In the interim, modify the source code to use parameterized queries (PDO prepared statements or mysqli_prepare) for all input passed to the search functionality.
Workarounds
- Replace concatenated SQL with prepared statements that bind searchdata as a parameter rather than as inline string content
- Apply server-side input validation to reject non-alphanumeric characters in searchdata where business logic permits
- Configure the database account used by the application with read-only access where write operations are not required from the search workflow
- Disable detailed SQL error messages in production responses to limit information leakage to attackers
# Example WAF rule (ModSecurity) blocking SQLi patterns in searchdata
SecRule ARGS:searchdata "@rx (?i)(union(.*?)select|sleep\(|benchmark\(|--|';)" \
"id:1005560,phase:2,deny,status:403,log,msg:'CVE-2025-5560 SQLi attempt on searchdata'"
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
