CVE-2025-8239: Exam Form Submission SQL Injection Flaw

CVE-2025-8239 Overview

CVE-2025-8239 is a SQL injection vulnerability in code-projects Exam Form Submission 1.0. The flaw resides in an unknown function within the /admin/ endpoint. Attackers can manipulate the email parameter to inject arbitrary SQL statements into backend database queries.

The vulnerability is remotely exploitable over the network and requires no authentication or user interaction. The exploit has been publicly disclosed, increasing the likelihood of opportunistic attacks against exposed installations. The issue is tracked under [CWE-74] Improper Neutralization of Special Elements in Output Used by a Downstream Component.

Critical Impact

Unauthenticated remote attackers can manipulate the email parameter at /admin/ to execute arbitrary SQL queries, exposing or modifying database contents.

Affected Products

• code-projects Exam Form Submission 1.0
• CPE: cpe:2.3:a:code-projects:exam_form_submission:1.0:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
• Vendor: code-projects

Discovery Timeline

• 2025-07-27 - CVE-2025-8239 published to NVD
• 2026-04-29 - Last updated in NVD database

Technical Details for CVE-2025-8239

Vulnerability Analysis

The vulnerability exists in the /admin/ interface of code-projects Exam Form Submission 1.0. The application accepts an email parameter and incorporates its value into a SQL statement without proper sanitization or parameterized query usage. An attacker submits crafted input containing SQL metacharacters to alter query logic.

The weakness maps to [CWE-74], reflecting improper neutralization of special characters passed to a downstream interpreter. Because the affected endpoint is reachable over HTTP and no credentials are needed, attackers can probe the parameter remotely. Public disclosure of the exploit details lowers the barrier for reproduction.

Root Cause

The root cause is direct concatenation of attacker-controlled input from the email field into a SQL query string. The application lacks prepared statements, parameter binding, or input validation routines. Special characters such as single quotes, semicolons, and SQL keywords pass through unfiltered to the database engine.

Attack Vector

An attacker sends an HTTP request to the /admin/ resource with a malicious payload in the email parameter. Typical payloads use boolean conditions, UNION SELECT statements, or time-based blind techniques to extract data. Successful exploitation can yield unauthorized read or write access to database tables, including credential records and exam submission data. Refer to the GitHub Issue Discussion and VulDB #317827 entries for additional context.

Detection Methods for CVE-2025-8239

Indicators of Compromise

• HTTP POST or GET requests to /admin/ containing SQL metacharacters such as ', --, UNION, SELECT, or SLEEP( in the email parameter.
• Web server access logs showing repeated probing of the /admin/ endpoint from a single source IP within short intervals.
• Database error messages or unusually long response times correlated with requests to the affected endpoint.

Detection Strategies

• Deploy web application firewall (WAF) signatures that flag SQL injection patterns against requests targeting /admin/.
• Enable database query logging and alert on anomalous statements referencing administrative tables outside normal application workflows.
• Correlate authentication failure events with malformed email parameter values to identify injection probing.

Monitoring Recommendations

• Monitor HTTP traffic to the Exam Form Submission application for parameter tampering signatures.
• Track outbound database connections and query volumes for spikes that suggest data exfiltration.
• Review administrative account activity for unauthorized record changes or new privilege grants.

How to Mitigate CVE-2025-8239

Immediate Actions Required

• Restrict network access to the /admin/ endpoint using firewall rules or reverse proxy ACLs until a patch is applied.
• Audit database accounts used by the application and revoke privileges beyond what the application requires.
• Review web server and database logs for evidence of prior exploitation attempts targeting the email parameter.

Patch Information

No vendor patch has been published in the referenced advisories. Organizations should monitor code-projects and VulDB #317827 (CTI) for remediation updates. Consider replacing the application with a maintained alternative if no fix becomes available.

Workarounds

• Place the application behind a WAF configured to block SQL injection payloads in request parameters.
• Modify application source to use parameterized queries or prepared statements for the email field if code changes are feasible.
• Apply input validation that restricts the email parameter to RFC 5322 compliant values and rejects SQL metacharacters.
• Disable or remove the /admin/ interface from production exposure when not actively required.