CVE-2025-5654
📋 TL;DR
This critical SQL injection vulnerability in PHPGurukul Complaint Management System 2.0 allows attackers to manipulate database queries through the description parameter in /admin/edit-state.php. Attackers can potentially read, modify, or delete database contents, including sensitive complaint data and user credentials. Organizations using this specific version of the complaint management system are affected.
💻 Affected Systems
- PHPGurukul Complaint Management System
📦 What is this software?
⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact
Worst Case
Complete database compromise leading to data theft, privilege escalation, and potential remote code execution through database functions.
Likely Case
Unauthorized data access and manipulation of complaint records, user information, and system configuration.
If Mitigated
Limited impact with proper input validation, parameterized queries, and database permission restrictions.
🎯 Exploit Status
Exploit details are publicly available on GitHub, making this easily exploitable by attackers with basic SQL injection knowledge.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: Unknown
Vendor Advisory: https://phpgurukul.com/
Restart Required: No
Instructions:
No official patch available. Consider upgrading to a newer version if available, or implement workarounds and security controls.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Input Validation and Sanitization
allImplement strict input validation and parameterized queries for the description parameter in edit-state.php
Modify /admin/edit-state.php to use prepared statements: $stmt = $conn->prepare('UPDATE states SET description=? WHERE id=?'); $stmt->bind_param('si', $description, $id);
Web Application Firewall Rules
allDeploy WAF rules to block SQL injection patterns targeting the edit-state.php endpoint
Add WAF rule: Block requests to /admin/edit-state.php containing SQL keywords like UNION, SELECT, INSERT, UPDATE, DELETE, DROP in POST parameters
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Restrict network access to the admin interface using IP whitelisting or VPN requirements
- Implement database user privilege separation with minimal necessary permissions
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Test the /admin/edit-state.php endpoint with SQL injection payloads in the description parameter while authenticated as adminCheck Version:
Check system documentation or configuration files for version informationVerify Fix Applied:
Attempt SQL injection after implementing parameterized queries and verify database queries are properly sanitized📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Unusual database queries from web application logs
- Multiple failed login attempts followed by admin access
- SQL error messages in application logs
Network Indicators:
- HTTP POST requests to /admin/edit-state.php containing SQL keywords
- Unusual database connection patterns from web server
SIEM Query:
source="web_logs" AND uri="/admin/edit-state.php" AND (description="*UNION*" OR description="*SELECT*" OR description="*INSERT*")