CVE-2018-25189 in Data Center Audit
Summary
by MITRE • 03/06/2026
Data Center Audit 2.6.2 contains an SQL injection vulnerability in the username parameter of dca_login.php that allows unauthenticated attackers to execute arbitrary SQL queries. Attackers can submit crafted SQL payloads through POST requests to extract sensitive database information including usernames, database names, and version details.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/06/2026
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-25189 resides within the Data Center Audit software version 2.6.2, specifically affecting the authentication mechanism through the dca_login.php script. This represents a critical security flaw that fundamentally undermines the application's ability to protect sensitive data through improper input validation and sanitization. The vulnerability manifests as an SQL injection weakness that operates on the username parameter, creating a pathway for malicious actors to bypass authentication mechanisms entirely. This flaw operates at the application layer and demonstrates a classic lack of proper parameter sanitization that directly violates fundamental security principles outlined in the OWASP Top Ten and CWE-89.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through unauthenticated POST requests directed at the dca_login.php endpoint, where attackers can inject malicious SQL payloads into the username field. The vulnerability's impact extends beyond simple authentication bypass to include comprehensive database reconnaissance capabilities, allowing adversaries to extract sensitive information such as database user credentials, database schema structures, and version identification details. This type of information disclosure creates a foundation for further attacks and demonstrates how a single parameter validation flaw can compound into a broader security compromise. The vulnerability operates with minimal detection requirements and can be exploited by attackers with basic technical knowledge, making it particularly dangerous in production environments.
The operational impact of this vulnerability creates significant risk for organizations utilizing Data Center Audit 2.6.2, as it provides attackers with unauthorized access to database contents without requiring valid credentials. The extracted information can be leveraged for privilege escalation attacks, lateral movement within networks, and additional reconnaissance activities. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1071.004 for application layer protocol usage and T1046 for network service scanning, as attackers can use the extracted information to map network services and identify additional attack vectors. Organizations may experience data breaches, compliance violations, and reputational damage when such vulnerabilities remain unpatched in their infrastructure.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2018-25189 require immediate implementation of input validation controls and application-level security measures. Organizations should implement proper parameterized queries or prepared statements to prevent SQL injection attacks, as recommended by CWE-89 guidelines and OWASP SQL Injection Prevention Cheat Sheet. The most effective remediation involves updating to a patched version of Data Center Audit software, as the vulnerability exists in version 2.6.2 and subsequent releases should contain appropriate fixes. Network segmentation and web application firewalls can provide additional layers of protection, while regular security assessments should verify that no other similar vulnerabilities exist within the application stack. Security monitoring should be enhanced to detect unusual patterns of database access attempts that may indicate exploitation attempts against this vulnerability.