Overview
CVE-2025-13451 is a high-severity SQL injection vulnerability identified in SourceCodester Online Shop Project 1.0. This vulnerability allows a remote attacker to inject malicious SQL code into the application, potentially leading to data breaches, modification of data, or even complete system compromise. The exploit is publicly available, increasing the urgency for users of the affected software to apply the necessary mitigations.
Technical Details
The vulnerability resides within the /action.php file of the SourceCodester Online Shop Project 1.0. Specifically, the Search argument is susceptible to SQL injection. By crafting a malicious SQL query and injecting it through the Search parameter, an attacker can manipulate the database operations performed by the application.
The affected function does not properly sanitize user input, allowing specially crafted SQL commands to be executed directly against the database. Successful exploitation allows attackers to bypass authentication mechanisms, access sensitive information, modify existing data, or even execute arbitrary commands on the database server.
CVSS Analysis
The Common Vulnerability Scoring System (CVSS) score for CVE-2025-13451 is 7.3 (HIGH).
- Base Score: 7.3
- Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:L/I:L/A:L
- Explanation: This indicates that the vulnerability is remotely exploitable (AV:N), requires no special privileges (PR:N), and does not require user interaction (UI:N). The impact to confidentiality (C:L), integrity (I:L), and availability (A:L) are low. Due to the ease of exploitation and potential impact, a High severity rating is appropriate.
Possible Impact
Successful exploitation of CVE-2025-13451 can lead to severe consequences, including:
- Data Breach: Unauthorized access to sensitive customer data, such as personal information, financial details, and order history.
- Data Manipulation: Modification or deletion of critical data within the database, leading to incorrect information and potential business disruption.
- Account Takeover: Attackers could potentially gain access to administrator accounts, allowing them to fully control the online shop.
- System Compromise: In certain scenarios, the attacker might be able to execute arbitrary code on the database server, leading to complete system compromise.
Mitigation and Patch Steps
To mitigate the risk associated with CVE-2025-13451, the following steps are recommended:
- Apply the Patch: The most effective solution is to apply the official patch released by SourceCodester (if available). Check the SourceCodester website for updates and security advisories.
- Input Sanitization: Implement robust input validation and sanitization techniques for all user-supplied input, especially the
Searchparameter in/action.php. Use parameterized queries or prepared statements to prevent SQL injection. - Web Application Firewall (WAF): Deploy a Web Application Firewall (WAF) to detect and block malicious requests targeting the vulnerability. Configure the WAF to filter out potentially harmful SQL injection attempts.
- Least Privilege Principle: Ensure that the database user account used by the application has only the necessary privileges to perform its functions. Avoid granting excessive permissions that could be abused by an attacker.
- Regular Security Audits: Conduct regular security audits and penetration testing to identify and address potential vulnerabilities in the application.
