CVE-2025-6836: Library System SQL Injection Vulnerability

CVE-2025-6836 Overview

A critical SQL Injection vulnerability has been identified in code-projects Library System 1.0. The vulnerability exists in the /profile.php file, where the phone parameter is not properly sanitized before being used in SQL queries. This allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary SQL commands, potentially leading to unauthorized data access, data manipulation, or complete database compromise. The exploit has been publicly disclosed, and other parameters in the application may be affected as well.

Critical Impact

Remote attackers can exploit this SQL Injection vulnerability to read, modify, or delete sensitive data from the database, potentially compromising the entire library management system and any stored user information.

Affected Products

• code-projects Library System 1.0

Discovery Timeline

• 2025-06-29 - CVE-2025-6836 published to NVD
• 2025-07-01 - Last updated in NVD database

Technical Details for CVE-2025-6836

Vulnerability Analysis

This SQL Injection vulnerability (CWE-89) occurs due to improper neutralization of special elements used in SQL commands. The /profile.php endpoint accepts a phone parameter that is directly incorporated into SQL queries without adequate input validation or parameterized query usage. This classic injection flaw allows attackers to manipulate the query structure by inserting malicious SQL code through the vulnerable parameter.

The vulnerability is classified under both CWE-74 (Improper Neutralization of Special Elements in Output Used by a Downstream Component) and CWE-89 (Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an SQL Command), indicating insufficient input sanitization at multiple levels of the application.

Root Cause

The root cause of this vulnerability is the failure to properly sanitize or parameterize user-supplied input in the phone parameter before constructing SQL queries. The application likely uses string concatenation or direct variable interpolation to build database queries, making it susceptible to SQL Injection attacks. This represents a fundamental secure coding violation where user input is trusted and processed without validation.

Attack Vector

The attack can be launched remotely over the network without requiring any authentication or user interaction. An attacker can craft malicious HTTP requests to the /profile.php endpoint, manipulating the phone parameter to inject SQL commands. The injected payload executes within the context of the database user, potentially allowing the attacker to:

• Extract sensitive data from the database (usernames, passwords, personal information)
• Modify or delete existing records
• Bypass authentication mechanisms
• Execute administrative operations on the database
• Potentially gain access to the underlying operating system depending on database configuration

The vulnerability does not require any special conditions to exploit, making it accessible to attackers with basic SQL Injection knowledge.

Detection Methods for CVE-2025-6836

Indicators of Compromise

• Unusual or malformed requests to /profile.php containing SQL syntax characters (single quotes, semicolons, UNION keywords, comment sequences)
• Database error messages appearing in application logs or responses indicating SQL syntax errors
• Unexpected data extraction or modification patterns in database audit logs
• Anomalous network traffic targeting the Library System web application

Detection Strategies

• Implement web application firewall (WAF) rules to detect and block SQL Injection patterns in the phone parameter
• Monitor HTTP request logs for suspicious payloads containing SQL keywords (SELECT, UNION, INSERT, DELETE, DROP, etc.)
• Enable database query logging and alert on unusual query patterns or syntax errors
• Deploy intrusion detection systems (IDS) with SQL Injection signature rules

Monitoring Recommendations

• Configure real-time alerting for requests to /profile.php with encoded or malicious-looking parameters
• Establish baseline traffic patterns and monitor for deviations that may indicate exploitation attempts
• Review database access logs regularly for unauthorized data access patterns
• Monitor for failed authentication attempts that may indicate credential extraction via SQL Injection

How to Mitigate CVE-2025-6836

Immediate Actions Required

• Remove or restrict access to the vulnerable /profile.php endpoint until a patch is available
• Implement input validation on the phone parameter to allow only expected characters (digits, dashes, parentheses)
• Deploy a web application firewall (WAF) with SQL Injection protection rules
• Review and audit all database-connected endpoints for similar vulnerabilities

Patch Information

As of the last update on 2025-07-01, no official vendor patch has been released for this vulnerability. Organizations using code-projects Library System 1.0 should monitor the Code Projects website and the GitHub CVE Issue Discussion for updates. Additional vulnerability details are available through VulDB ID #314280.

Workarounds

• Implement prepared statements and parameterized queries for all database interactions as a code-level fix
• Apply strict input validation using allowlists for the phone parameter (accept only numeric characters and standard phone formatting)
• Use stored procedures with parameterized inputs to prevent direct SQL manipulation
• Implement least privilege database accounts that limit the impact of successful exploitation
• Consider taking the affected application offline if it handles sensitive data until proper remediation is available

# Example WAF rule for ModSecurity to block SQL Injection attempts
SecRule ARGS:phone "@detectSQLi" \
    "id:100001,\
    phase:2,\
    deny,\
    status:403,\
    log,\
    msg:'SQL Injection attempt blocked in phone parameter',\
    tag:'application-multi',\
    tag:'language-multi',\
    tag:'attack-sqli'"