CVE-2025-7636: ZEUS PDKS SQL Injection Vulnerability

CVE-2025-7636 Overview

CVE-2025-7636 is a SQL Injection vulnerability affecting the ZEUS PDKS (Personnel Tracking and Control System) developed by Ergosis Security Systems Computer Industry and Trade Inc. This vulnerability allows attackers to manipulate SQL queries through improper neutralization of special elements, potentially leading to unauthorized data access, modification, or deletion within the backend database.

Critical Impact

This SQL Injection vulnerability enables network-based attackers with low privileges to compromise the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of the ZEUS PDKS system and its underlying database.

Affected Products

• ZEUS PDKS versions prior to 1.0.5.10
• ZEUS PDKS versions through 10022026

Discovery Timeline

• 2026-02-10 - CVE-2025-7636 published to NVD
• 2026-02-10 - Last updated in NVD database

Note: The vendor was contacted early about this disclosure but did not respond in any way.

Technical Details for CVE-2025-7636

Vulnerability Analysis

This SQL Injection vulnerability (CWE-89) exists within the ZEUS PDKS personnel tracking system. SQL Injection occurs when user-supplied input is incorporated into SQL queries without proper sanitization or parameterization. In this case, the ZEUS PDKS application fails to properly neutralize special characters and SQL syntax within user input before constructing database queries.

The vulnerability is network-accessible, meaning attackers can exploit it remotely without requiring physical access to the target system. While the attack requires low-level privileges (authenticated access), no user interaction is needed to trigger the exploitation. Successful exploitation can result in complete compromise of the database, including extraction of sensitive personnel tracking data, modification of records, and potential disruption of the tracking system's availability.

Root Cause

The root cause of this vulnerability is improper input validation and the lack of parameterized queries (prepared statements) in the ZEUS PDKS application. When user-controlled data is directly concatenated into SQL query strings without proper escaping or sanitization, attackers can inject malicious SQL code that the database engine will execute as legitimate commands.

Attack Vector

The attack is conducted over the network against the ZEUS PDKS web interface. An attacker with valid low-privilege credentials can craft malicious input containing SQL metacharacters and statements. When this input is processed by vulnerable application components, the injected SQL code executes within the context of the database connection, allowing the attacker to:

• Extract sensitive data from the personnel tracking database
• Modify or delete existing records
• Potentially escalate privileges within the application
• In some configurations, execute operating system commands on the database server

The vulnerability mechanism involves injection of SQL syntax through input fields that are not properly sanitized before being incorporated into database queries. For detailed technical information, refer to the USOM Security Notification TR-26-0052.

Detection Methods for CVE-2025-7636

Indicators of Compromise

• Unusual SQL error messages appearing in application logs or being returned to users
• Database audit logs showing queries with suspicious syntax such as UNION SELECT, OR 1=1, or comment sequences (--, /**/)
• Unexpected data extraction or bulk database read operations
• Authentication bypass events or access to records outside a user's normal scope

Detection Strategies

• Implement Web Application Firewall (WAF) rules to detect and block common SQL Injection patterns in HTTP requests targeting ZEUS PDKS
• Enable database query logging and monitor for anomalous query patterns, including time-based delays or error-based extraction techniques
• Deploy SentinelOne Singularity Platform to detect post-exploitation activities and lateral movement following database compromise
• Configure alerting on database connections from unexpected sources or during unusual hours

Monitoring Recommendations

• Monitor web server access logs for requests containing SQL metacharacters (', ", ;, --) in query parameters and form fields
• Track database query execution times for anomalies indicative of time-based blind SQL Injection
• Establish baseline patterns for database access and alert on deviations that may indicate data exfiltration
• Review application logs for failed login attempts that may indicate authentication bypass testing

How to Mitigate CVE-2025-7636

Immediate Actions Required

• Restrict network access to the ZEUS PDKS system to trusted IP ranges or implement VPN requirements for remote access
• Review and audit database user privileges to implement least-privilege principles
• Enable enhanced logging on both the web application and database layers to capture potential exploitation attempts
• Consider taking the affected ZEUS PDKS instance offline if it contains sensitive personnel data and cannot be adequately protected

Patch Information

No vendor patch information is currently available. The vendor (Ergosis Security Systems Computer Industry and Trade Inc.) was contacted about this disclosure but did not respond. Organizations should monitor the USOM Security Notification TR-26-0052 for updates and vendor communications.

Affected versions include ZEUS PDKS versions prior to 1.0.5.10 through 10022026. Organizations should contact Ergosis directly to inquire about patched versions or security updates.

Workarounds

• Deploy a Web Application Firewall (WAF) configured with SQL Injection detection rules in front of the ZEUS PDKS application
• Implement network segmentation to isolate the ZEUS PDKS system from other critical infrastructure
• Apply strict input validation at the network perimeter using intrusion prevention systems (IPS)
• Restrict database user permissions to the minimum required for application functionality, preventing actions like DROP TABLE or system command execution

# Example WAF rule for ModSecurity to block common SQL injection patterns
# Add to modsecurity.conf or rules file

SecRule ARGS "@rx (?i)(\b(union|select|insert|update|delete|drop|truncate)\b.*\b(from|into|table|database)\b)" \
    "id:1001,phase:2,deny,status:403,msg:'SQL Injection Attempt Detected'"

SecRule ARGS "@rx (\-\-|\/\*|\*\/|;|'|\")" \
    "id:1002,phase:2,deny,status:403,msg:'SQL Metacharacters Detected'"