Overview
CVE-2025-13287 describes a medium severity SQL injection vulnerability found in itsourcecode Online Voting System version 1.0. This vulnerability allows a remote attacker to execute arbitrary SQL commands by manipulating the id or category parameter in the /index.php?page=categories endpoint. The vulnerability is publicly known and actively exploitable, posing a significant risk to systems running the affected software.
Technical Details
The vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation on the id or category parameters within the /index.php?page=categories page. By injecting malicious SQL code into these parameters, an attacker can bypass intended security measures and interact directly with the underlying database. This could potentially allow the attacker to:
- Extract sensitive data, including voter information, system credentials, and other confidential details.
- Modify or delete data, potentially disrupting the voting process or compromising data integrity.
- Gain unauthorized access to the system by creating new administrative accounts or escalating existing privileges.
An example of a possible malicious request:
/index.php?page=categories&id=1' OR '1'='1CVSS Analysis
The Common Vulnerability Scoring System (CVSS) assigns CVE-2025-13287 a score of 6.3, classifying it as a MEDIUM severity vulnerability. This score reflects the following factors:
- Attack Vector: Network (AV:N) – The vulnerability is exploitable remotely.
- Attack Complexity: Low (AC:L) – The attack requires minimal specialized knowledge or resources.
- Privileges Required: None (PR:N) – No prior authentication is required to exploit the vulnerability.
- User Interaction: None (UI:N) – No user interaction is required for the attack to succeed.
- Scope: Unchanged (S:U) – An exploited vulnerability does not affect resources beyond the security scope managed by the security authority of the vulnerable component.
- Confidentiality Impact: Low (C:L) – Limited information disclosure.
- Integrity Impact: Low (I:L) – Limited data modification possible.
- Availability Impact: Low (A:L) – Limited disruption of services.
Possible Impact
Successful exploitation of CVE-2025-13287 can have significant consequences, including:
- Compromised Voter Data: Exposure of sensitive voter information, such as names, addresses, and voting preferences.
- Election Manipulation: Alteration of vote counts or insertion of fraudulent votes, undermining the integrity of the election process.
- System Takeover: Gaining complete control over the voting system, allowing the attacker to manipulate all aspects of the election.
- Reputational Damage: Loss of public trust and confidence in the voting system and the organization responsible for its operation.
Mitigation and Patch Steps
To mitigate the risk posed by CVE-2025-13287, the following steps are recommended:
- Apply the Patch (If Available): Check the itsourcecode website for a security patch or updated version of the Online Voting System. Applying the patch is the most effective way to resolve the vulnerability.
- Input Validation: Implement robust input validation on all user-supplied data, especially the
idandcategoryparameters. Use parameterized queries or prepared statements to prevent SQL injection attacks. Sanitize and escape user input before incorporating it into SQL queries. - Web Application Firewall (WAF): Deploy a Web Application Firewall (WAF) to detect and block malicious requests targeting the SQL injection vulnerability. Configure the WAF with rules specifically designed to prevent SQL injection attacks.
- Least Privilege Principle: Ensure that the database user account used by the Online Voting System has only the necessary privileges to perform its intended functions. Avoid granting excessive permissions that could be exploited by an attacker.
- Regular Security Audits: Conduct regular security audits and penetration testing to identify and address vulnerabilities in the Online Voting System.
Note: As of the date of this article, a specific patch may not be available. Implementing the other mitigation steps is crucial until a patch is released.
