CVE-2018-25183 in Shipping System CMS
Summary
by MITRE • 03/26/2026
Shipping System CMS 1.0 contains an SQL injection vulnerability that allows unauthenticated attackers to bypass authentication by injecting SQL code through the username parameter. Attackers can submit malicious SQL payloads using boolean-based blind techniques in POST requests to the admin login endpoint to authenticate without valid credentials.
If you want to get the best quality for vulnerability data then you always have to consider VulDB.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/26/2026
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-25183 affects Shipping System CMS version 1.0 and represents a critical SQL injection flaw that undermines the application's authentication mechanism. This vulnerability resides within the admin login endpoint where the application fails to properly sanitize user input, specifically the username parameter, creating an exploitable pathway for malicious actors to bypass legitimate authentication processes. The flaw enables unauthenticated attackers to manipulate the database query structure through carefully crafted SQL payloads, fundamentally compromising the system's security controls. The vulnerability manifests when the application processes POST requests containing malicious SQL code, which are then executed against the underlying database without adequate input validation or parameterization.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability leverages boolean-based blind SQL injection techniques, where attackers construct payloads that cause the database to return different responses based on the truth value of injected SQL statements. This approach allows adversaries to infer information about the database structure and content through the application's response variations, ultimately enabling them to authenticate as legitimate users without possessing valid credentials. The attack vector specifically targets the username parameter, which serves as the primary input field for administrative authentication. When an attacker submits a malicious payload through the login endpoint, the application's insufficient input sanitization allows the injected SQL code to execute within the database context, potentially granting full administrative access to the system. This type of vulnerability aligns with CWE-89 which categorizes SQL injection as a fundamental weakness in application security, particularly when user input is directly incorporated into database queries without proper validation or parameterization.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple unauthorized access, as it provides attackers with complete administrative privileges over the Shipping System CMS. Successful exploitation enables adversaries to manipulate all system data, modify user accounts, access sensitive information, and potentially establish persistent backdoors within the application. The implications are particularly severe given that the vulnerability allows unauthenticated access, meaning attackers can exploit it without requiring any prior credentials or system access. This creates a significant risk for organizations relying on the CMS for shipping operations, as it could lead to data breaches, system compromise, and potential disruption of critical business processes. The boolean-based blind technique employed in this attack requires minimal user interaction from the attacker, making it both accessible and effective for exploitation across various environments where the vulnerable CMS is deployed.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2018-25183 must focus on implementing robust input validation and parameterized queries to prevent SQL injection attacks. Organizations should immediately upgrade to a patched version of Shipping System CMS if available, as this represents the most effective defense against the known vulnerability. Additionally, implementing proper input sanitization techniques, including the use of prepared statements and parameterized queries, will prevent malicious SQL code from being executed within the database context. Network-level defenses such as web application firewalls and intrusion detection systems can provide additional layers of protection by monitoring for suspicious SQL injection patterns in incoming requests. The implementation of proper authentication controls, including account lockout mechanisms and rate limiting, can also help mitigate the impact of automated exploitation attempts. Organizations should also conduct comprehensive security assessments to identify other potential SQL injection vulnerabilities within their application stack, as this type of flaw often indicates broader security weaknesses in the system architecture. This vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of following secure coding practices and adhering to the principle of least privilege in application design, which aligns with security frameworks such as those recommended in the ATT&CK framework for preventing credential access and privilege escalation techniques.