CVE-2025-6173 Overview
CVE-2025-6173 is a SQL injection vulnerability in Webkul QloApps 1.6.1, an open-source hotel booking and reservation management platform. The flaw resides in the /admin/ajax_products_list.php script, where the packItself parameter is incorporated into a SQL query without proper sanitization. Authenticated administrators can manipulate this parameter to inject arbitrary SQL statements against the underlying database. The vendor has confirmed the issue but rates it low severity because exploitation requires administrative privileges. A fix is planned for a future release, and exploit details have been publicly disclosed. The weakness is categorized under CWE-89 (Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an SQL Command) and CWE-74 (Injection).
Critical Impact
An authenticated administrator can inject SQL through the packItself parameter, potentially exposing or tampering with booking, customer, and payment records stored in the QloApps database.
Affected Products
- Webkul QloApps 1.6.1
- Deployments using the /admin/ajax_products_list.php endpoint
- Installations without an applied vendor fix (none released at time of disclosure)
Discovery Timeline
- 2025-06-17 - CVE-2025-6173 published to the National Vulnerability Database
- 2026-04-29 - Last updated in NVD database
Technical Details for CVE-2025-6173
Vulnerability Analysis
The vulnerability stems from unsafe handling of the packItself request parameter in the administrative AJAX endpoint /admin/ajax_products_list.php. The application concatenates the attacker-controlled value into a SQL query rather than binding it as a parameter. As a result, an authenticated administrator can append SQL syntax to alter query logic and read or modify arbitrary database content.
Because the endpoint is exposed over HTTP, exploitation is possible remotely once a valid admin session is established. Successful injection can yield confidentiality, integrity, and availability impacts against the database backing QloApps, including reservation records, customer personal data, and configuration tables.
The vendor confirmed the flaw but classified it as low severity due to the administrative privilege requirement. No patched version is available at the time of disclosure, and a proof of concept is published in a public GitHub repository.
Root Cause
The root cause is missing input validation and the absence of parameterized queries when processing the packItself argument. The endpoint passes user-supplied data directly into a SQL statement, satisfying the conditions for CWE-89.
Attack Vector
An attacker with valid administrative credentials sends a crafted HTTP request to /admin/ajax_products_list.php with a malicious value in the packItself parameter. Technical exploitation details and recurrence steps are documented in the GitHub PoC Repository and the Vulnerability Recurrence notes.
Detection Methods for CVE-2025-6173
Indicators of Compromise
- HTTP requests to /admin/ajax_products_list.php containing SQL meta-characters such as ', --, UNION, SELECT, or SLEEP( in the packItself parameter.
- Unexpected database errors or anomalous response sizes returned from the admin AJAX endpoint.
- Administrator sessions originating from unusual IP addresses or geographies issuing repeated requests against ajax_products_list.php.
Detection Strategies
- Inspect web server and application logs for requests to ajax_products_list.php where packItself deviates from expected numeric or boolean values.
- Deploy web application firewall rules that flag SQL injection patterns targeting QloApps administrative endpoints.
- Enable MySQL general query or audit logging to surface unusual UNION, INFORMATION_SCHEMA, or time-based payloads originating from the QloApps service account.
Monitoring Recommendations
- Alert on bursts of 5xx responses or unusually large payloads from the admin AJAX endpoint.
- Track administrator account activity for atypical request volume and out-of-hours access.
- Monitor database performance metrics for SLEEP-based or heavy UNION queries that signal blind SQL injection probing.
How to Mitigate CVE-2025-6173
Immediate Actions Required
- Restrict access to /admin/ to trusted networks using IP allow-listing or VPN-only access until a vendor patch is available.
- Enforce strong, unique passwords and multi-factor authentication for every QloApps administrator account.
- Deploy WAF signatures that block SQL injection payloads targeting the packItself parameter on ajax_products_list.php.
- Audit administrator accounts and revoke any unused or shared credentials that could be abused to satisfy the privilege prerequisite.
Patch Information
No official patch is available at the time of publication. Webkul has acknowledged the flaw and indicated a fix is planned for a future QloApps release. Track the VulDB entry #312661 and vendor channels for the patched version, and apply it as soon as it is released.
Workarounds
- Place the /admin/ interface behind a reverse proxy that filters SQL meta-characters in packItself request parameters.
- Apply database least-privilege by ensuring the QloApps MySQL user cannot read sensitive system tables or write outside required schemas.
- Review and back up the QloApps database regularly so any data tampering can be detected and rolled back.
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
