CVE-2025-6161: Simple Food Ordering System RCE Vulnerability

CVE-2025-6161 Overview

A critical unrestricted file upload vulnerability has been identified in SourceCodester Simple Food Ordering System version 1.0. The vulnerability exists in the /editproduct.php file, where improper validation of the photo argument allows attackers to upload arbitrary files to the web server. This flaw enables remote attackers to potentially execute malicious code by uploading web shells or other dangerous file types without authentication or proper access controls.

Critical Impact

Remote attackers can exploit this unrestricted file upload vulnerability to upload malicious files including web shells, enabling potential remote code execution on affected systems.

Affected Products

• Fabian Simple Food Ordering System 1.0
• SourceCodester Simple Food Ordering System deployments using vulnerable /editproduct.php endpoint

Discovery Timeline

• 2025-06-17 - CVE-2025-6161 published to NVD
• 2025-10-23 - Last updated in NVD database

Technical Details for CVE-2025-6161

Vulnerability Analysis

This vulnerability is classified as CWE-434 (Unrestricted Upload of File with Dangerous Type) and CWE-284 (Improper Access Control). The /editproduct.php endpoint in Simple Food Ordering System fails to properly validate file uploads submitted through the photo parameter. Without adequate file type validation, extension filtering, or content verification, the application accepts and stores any file type provided by the user.

The vulnerability is remotely exploitable over a network connection without requiring user interaction. Attackers can leverage this flaw to upload executable scripts such as PHP web shells, which can then be accessed directly through the web server to execute arbitrary commands with the privileges of the web server process.

Root Cause

The root cause of this vulnerability lies in the absence of proper input validation and access control mechanisms for file uploads in the editproduct.php functionality. The application fails to:

1. Validate file extensions against an allowlist of permitted image types
2. Verify file MIME types and magic bytes to ensure uploaded content matches expected file formats
3. Implement proper access control to restrict who can upload files to the product edit functionality
4. Sanitize filenames to prevent path traversal or overwriting critical files

Attack Vector

The attack is network-based and can be executed remotely without authentication. An attacker can craft a malicious HTTP POST request to the /editproduct.php endpoint with a dangerous file (such as a PHP web shell) disguised or submitted through the photo parameter. Once uploaded, the attacker can navigate to the uploaded file's location on the web server to trigger execution of the malicious payload.

The exploitation process typically involves:

1. Identifying the vulnerable /editproduct.php endpoint
2. Crafting a multipart form request containing a malicious PHP file in the photo field
3. Submitting the request to upload the malicious file
4. Accessing the uploaded file directly through the web server to execute the payload

Technical details and exploit information have been publicly disclosed. See the GitHub CVE Issue Discussion for additional technical details.

Detection Methods for CVE-2025-6161

Indicators of Compromise

• Unusual files with executable extensions (.php, .phtml, .phar) in product image upload directories
• Web server access logs showing requests to unexpected script files in image upload locations
• Suspicious POST requests to /editproduct.php containing non-image file types
• Newly created PHP files in web-accessible directories not associated with legitimate application updates

Detection Strategies

• Monitor file system changes in upload directories for non-image file types
• Implement web application firewall (WAF) rules to inspect file upload requests for malicious content
• Review web server access logs for POST requests to /editproduct.php followed by GET requests to unusual file paths
• Deploy file integrity monitoring on directories used for user uploads

Monitoring Recommendations

• Enable detailed logging for the /editproduct.php endpoint and all file upload operations
• Configure alerts for new file creation events in upload directories with non-standard extensions
• Monitor for outbound connections from the web server that may indicate web shell activity
• Implement real-time scanning of uploaded files using antivirus or malware detection solutions

How to Mitigate CVE-2025-6161

Immediate Actions Required

• Restrict access to /editproduct.php to authenticated administrators only
• Implement strict file extension allowlisting (e.g., .jpg, .jpeg, .png, .gif only)
• Validate file content using magic byte verification to ensure files match their declared type
• Consider temporarily disabling the product image upload functionality until a comprehensive fix is applied
• Review upload directories for any suspicious files and remove unauthorized content

Patch Information

At the time of this writing, no official patch has been released by the vendor for this vulnerability. Organizations using Simple Food Ordering System should implement the workarounds described below and monitor the SourceCodester website for security updates. Additional vulnerability tracking information is available through VulDB #312636.

Workarounds

• Implement server-side file validation using allowlisted extensions and MIME type verification
• Store uploaded files outside the web root directory to prevent direct execution
• Rename uploaded files with random identifiers to prevent predictable file access
• Apply restrictive file permissions to upload directories (disable script execution)
• Use .htaccess or web server configuration to disable PHP execution in upload directories

# Apache configuration to disable PHP execution in upload directories
<Directory "/var/www/html/uploads">
    php_admin_flag engine Off
    <FilesMatch "\.ph(p[345]?|t|tml|ar)$">
        Require all denied
    </FilesMatch>
</Directory>