CVE-2018-25165 in Forces MMORPG
Summary
by MITRE • 03/06/2026
Galaxy Forces MMORPG 0.5.8 contains an SQL injection vulnerability that allows authenticated attackers to execute arbitrary SQL queries by injecting malicious code through the 'type' parameter. Attackers can send POST requests to ads.php with crafted SQL payloads in the type parameter to extract sensitive database information including usernames, databases, and version details.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/06/2026
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-25165 represents a critical SQL injection flaw within the Galaxy Forces MMORPG version 0.5.8 that significantly compromises the security posture of the application. This weakness exists in the web application's handling of user input through the 'type' parameter in the ads.php endpoint, creating an exploitable pathway for malicious actors to manipulate the underlying database infrastructure. The vulnerability specifically affects authenticated users who can leverage their existing session to submit crafted POST requests containing malicious SQL payloads, thereby bypassing normal authentication and authorization mechanisms that should protect database operations.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and sanitization practices within the application's backend processing logic. When the 'type' parameter is processed without proper escaping or parameterization, the application fails to distinguish between legitimate user input and malicious SQL commands. This fundamental flaw aligns with CWE-89 which categorizes SQL injection vulnerabilities as a direct result of insufficient input validation and improper database query construction. Attackers can exploit this weakness by crafting SQL payloads that manipulate the intended query execution flow, allowing them to extract sensitive information from the database through techniques such as UNION-based attacks, error-based extraction, or time-based blind SQL injection methods.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft, as it enables attackers to gain comprehensive knowledge of the database structure and underlying system configuration. Successful exploitation allows threat actors to extract usernames, database schemas, version information, and potentially sensitive user credentials or personal data stored within the MMORPG's database. This information can be leveraged for further attacks including privilege escalation, lateral movement within the network, or even complete system compromise if additional vulnerabilities exist within the database infrastructure. The authenticated nature of the attack means that attackers do not require administrative privileges to exploit this weakness, making the vulnerability particularly dangerous as it can be exploited by any legitimate user with access to the application's interface.
The security implications of this vulnerability align with several tactics and techniques documented in the MITRE ATT&CK framework, particularly within the credential access and reconnaissance phases. Attackers can utilize this vulnerability as part of a broader attack chain to gather intelligence about the target system before executing more sophisticated attacks. The vulnerability also demonstrates poor application security practices that violate fundamental security principles such as the principle of least privilege and defense in depth. Organizations should implement comprehensive input validation measures including parameterized queries, stored procedures, and proper escaping mechanisms to prevent such vulnerabilities from being exploited. Additionally, regular security assessments and penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar weaknesses in other application components, as this vulnerability represents a common class of flaws that frequently appear in web applications lacking proper security controls.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2018-25165 should focus on implementing proper input validation and parameterized query construction throughout the application's codebase. The immediate fix involves updating the ads.php endpoint to use prepared statements or parameterized queries that separate SQL command structure from user input data. Organizations should also implement robust logging and monitoring mechanisms to detect unusual database access patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts. Regular security updates and patches should be applied to all application components, with particular attention to the database layer and web application frameworks. Access controls and network segmentation should be reviewed to limit the potential impact of successful exploitation, while application firewalls and intrusion detection systems can help identify and block malicious payloads attempting to exploit this vulnerability.