CVE-2025-66205: Frappe Framework SQL Injection Vulnerability

CVE-2025-66205 Overview

CVE-2025-66205 is a critical SQL Injection vulnerability affecting the Frappe full-stack web application framework. The vulnerability exists in a certain endpoint that lacks proper validation of parameters, making it susceptible to error-based SQL injection attacks. Attackers can exploit this flaw to extract sensitive information from the database, including version details and potentially other confidential data.

Critical Impact

This vulnerability has a CVSS score of 9.8 (Critical) with network-based attack vector requiring no authentication. Successful exploitation could lead to unauthorized access to sensitive database information, data manipulation, and potential complete system compromise.

Affected Products

• Frappe Framework versions prior to 15.86.0
• Frappe Framework versions prior to 14.99.2

Discovery Timeline

• 2025-12-01 - CVE-2025-66205 published to NVD
• 2025-12-04 - Last updated in NVD database

Technical Details for CVE-2025-66205

Vulnerability Analysis

The vulnerability is classified as CWE-89 (SQL Injection) and resides in the Frappe framework's database query handling mechanism. The flaw stems from insufficient validation and sanitization of user-supplied parameters before they are incorporated into SQL queries. Error-based SQL injection allows attackers to extract database information by triggering deliberate errors and analyzing the error messages returned by the application.

The CVSS:3.1 vector string CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H indicates:

• Attack Vector: Network-based, remotely exploitable
• Attack Complexity: Low - easily exploitable
• Privileges Required: None - no authentication needed
• User Interaction: None required
• Impact: High confidentiality, integrity, and availability impact

Root Cause

The root cause of this vulnerability lies in the inadequate function detection mechanism within the frappe/model/db_query.py module. The framework was not properly parsing and validating SQL functions, allowing malicious SQL syntax to bypass input sanitization controls. The lack of proper SQL parsing meant that crafted input could be interpreted as executable SQL rather than data.

Attack Vector

The vulnerability is exploitable over the network without authentication. An attacker can send specially crafted requests to the vulnerable endpoint, injecting malicious SQL syntax that exploits error-based extraction techniques. When the database engine processes the malformed query, it returns error messages containing sensitive information that the attacker can leverage to enumerate database structure and extract data.

The security patch introduces sqlparse for proper SQL function detection:

 import re
 from collections import Counter
 from collections.abc import Mapping, Sequence
-from functools import cached_property
+from functools import cached_property, lru_cache
+
+import sqlparse
+from sqlparse import tokens
+from sqlparse.sql import Function, Parenthesis, Statement
 
 import frappe
 import frappe.defaults

Source: https://github.com/frappe/frappe/commit/984c641bff9539b6126a01146096f133db6a955b

The fix implements proper SQL parsing using the sqlparse library, which provides robust detection of SQL functions and statements, preventing injection attacks by properly identifying and handling SQL syntax elements.

Detection Methods for CVE-2025-66205

Indicators of Compromise

• Unusual database error messages in application logs containing SQL syntax errors
• Abnormal HTTP requests to Frappe endpoints with special characters (', ", ;, --, /**/)
• Unexpected database queries appearing in database logs with error-inducing SQL constructs
• Multiple failed requests followed by successful data extraction patterns

Detection Strategies

Organizations should implement the following detection strategies:

1. Web Application Firewall (WAF) Rules: Configure WAF rules to detect and block SQL injection patterns, including error-based injection signatures such as EXTRACTVALUE(), UPDATEXML(), and other database-specific error functions.

2. Database Activity Monitoring: Monitor database logs for unusual query patterns, syntax errors, and queries containing suspicious functions or concatenated strings.

3. Application Log Analysis: Review Frappe application logs for error messages that may indicate exploitation attempts, particularly those referencing SQL parsing errors.

4. Network Traffic Analysis: Inspect HTTP request payloads for SQL injection indicators in URL parameters, POST data, and headers targeting Frappe endpoints.

Monitoring Recommendations

Security teams should implement continuous monitoring of:

• All inbound HTTP traffic to Frappe application servers
• Database query logs for anomalous patterns and error frequencies
• Application error rates and types, particularly SQL-related exceptions
• Authentication and access logs for patterns indicating reconnaissance activity

SentinelOne Singularity platform provides real-time detection of SQL injection attempts through behavioral analysis and endpoint telemetry, enabling rapid identification and response to exploitation attempts.

How to Mitigate CVE-2025-66205

Immediate Actions Required

• Update Frappe Framework to version 15.86.0 or later (for 15.x branch)
• Update Frappe Framework to version 14.99.2 or later (for 14.x branch)
• Review application and database logs for signs of prior exploitation
• Implement Web Application Firewall rules to block SQL injection attempts as a defense-in-depth measure

Patch Information

The vulnerability has been addressed in the official Frappe security patch. The fix introduces the sqlparse library for proper SQL function detection in the sanitize_fields function within frappe/model/db_query.py.

Patch Commit: 984c641bff9539b6126a01146096f133db6a955b

Security Advisory: GHSA-mp93-8vxr-hqq9

Organizations should apply the patch immediately by upgrading to the fixed versions. The patch is available through the standard Frappe update process.

Workarounds

If immediate patching is not possible, organizations should implement the following temporary mitigations:

• Deploy a Web Application Firewall (WAF) with SQL injection protection rules in front of the Frappe application
• Restrict network access to the Frappe application to trusted IP addresses only
• Enable enhanced database logging to detect exploitation attempts
• Consider temporarily disabling or restricting access to the vulnerable endpoint if identified

# Example: Restrict access to Frappe application using iptables
# Allow only trusted IP ranges
iptables -A INPUT -p tcp --dport 8000 -s 10.0.0.0/8 -j ACCEPT
iptables -A INPUT -p tcp --dport 8000 -j DROP

These workarounds should be considered temporary measures only. Applying the official security patch remains the definitive solution for addressing CVE-2025-66205.