CVE-2018-25179 in Gumbo
Summary
by MITRE • 03/06/2026
Gumbo CMS 0.99 contains an SQL injection vulnerability that allows unauthenticated attackers to execute arbitrary SQL queries by injecting malicious code through the language parameter. Attackers can send POST requests to the settings endpoint with crafted SQL payloads in the language 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-2018-25179 affects Gumbo CMS version 0.99 and represents a critical SQL injection flaw that compromises the integrity of the application's database layer. This vulnerability resides within the application's handling of user input through the language parameter, which is processed without adequate sanitization or validation mechanisms. The flaw enables unauthenticated attackers to manipulate the underlying database query execution by injecting malicious SQL code directly into the language parameter of POST requests. The vulnerability specifically targets the settings endpoint where the language parameter is used to configure the application's language settings, making it a persistent entry point for malicious actors seeking to exploit the system's database infrastructure.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability follows a standard SQL injection attack pattern where attackers craft malicious payloads designed to manipulate the database query structure. When the language parameter is processed, the application fails to implement proper input validation or parameterized query execution, allowing attackers to inject SQL commands that bypass normal authentication and authorization controls. The attack vector specifically leverages the POST method to the settings endpoint, where the language parameter becomes the primary injection point for executing arbitrary SQL commands. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-89, which categorizes SQL injection as a fundamental flaw in application security where untrusted data is directly incorporated into SQL query construction without proper sanitization or parameterization.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends far beyond simple data theft, as it provides attackers with comprehensive access to sensitive database information including user credentials, database schema details, and system version information. Attackers can extract usernames and potentially passwords stored in the database, enabling them to escalate privileges and gain deeper system access. The vulnerability also allows for extraction of database version details, which can be used to identify potential additional vulnerabilities specific to that database version. Furthermore, the ability to execute arbitrary SQL queries means attackers can modify, delete, or manipulate database contents, potentially leading to complete system compromise and data destruction. This vulnerability directly maps to several ATT&CK techniques including T1071.005 Application Layer Protocol and T1046 Network Service Scanning, as attackers can systematically probe the database for information and potentially execute malicious commands.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability must address both immediate remediation and long-term architectural improvements to prevent similar issues. The primary fix involves implementing proper input validation and parameterized queries throughout the application's database interaction layer, specifically ensuring that all user-supplied input including the language parameter is properly sanitized before being incorporated into database queries. Organizations should implement web application firewalls to detect and block suspicious SQL injection patterns, while also conducting comprehensive code reviews to identify and remediate similar vulnerabilities in other application components. The implementation of proper authentication and authorization controls, along with regular database security audits, can help detect unauthorized access attempts and prevent exploitation of such vulnerabilities. Additionally, maintaining up-to-date application versions and implementing proper security monitoring can provide early detection of exploitation attempts and help establish incident response protocols for rapid remediation when vulnerabilities are discovered.