CVE-2018-25197 in PlayJoom
Summary
by MITRE • 03/06/2026
PlayJoom 0.10.1 contains an SQL injection vulnerability that allows unauthenticated attackers to execute arbitrary SQL queries by injecting malicious code through the catid parameter. Attackers can send GET requests to index.php with option=com_playjoom&view=genre&catid=[SQL] to extract sensitive database information including usernames, databases, and version details.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/06/2026
The CVE-2018-25197 vulnerability represents a critical SQL injection flaw in PlayJoom version 0.10.1, a content management system designed for media playback. This vulnerability exposes the application to unauthenticated attack vectors that can compromise the entire database infrastructure. The flaw specifically manifests through the catid parameter within the genre view component, creating an exploitable pathway for malicious actors to manipulate database queries without requiring any authentication credentials. The vulnerability's impact extends beyond simple data extraction to potentially enable full database compromise and unauthorized access to sensitive user information.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability follows standard SQL injection patterns where user-supplied input is directly concatenated into database queries without proper sanitization or parameterization. When attackers construct GET requests to index.php with the specific payload com_playjoom&view=genre&catid=[SQL], the application fails to validate or escape the input before processing it through the database layer. This allows attackers to inject malicious SQL commands that execute with the privileges of the database user account. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-89 as an improper neutralization of special elements used in an SQL command, which represents one of the most common and dangerous web application security flaws.
Operational impact of this vulnerability is severe and multifaceted, as it enables attackers to extract sensitive database information including user credentials, database schema details, and system version information. The unauthenticated nature of the attack means that any external party can exploit this flaw without requiring prior access or credentials, making it particularly dangerous for publicly accessible web applications. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to perform data exfiltration, potentially leading to identity theft, unauthorized access to user accounts, and further exploitation of the compromised system. The vulnerability also provides attackers with information about the underlying database structure, which can facilitate more sophisticated attacks and privilege escalation attempts.
Security mitigation strategies for CVE-2018-25197 should prioritize immediate patching of the PlayJoom application to version 0.10.2 or later, which contains the necessary fixes for the SQL injection vulnerability. Organizations should implement input validation and parameterized queries to prevent similar issues in future deployments, following the principle of least privilege for database accounts and implementing proper access controls. Network-level protections such as web application firewalls and intrusion detection systems can provide additional layers of defense. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of regular security assessments and the implementation of secure coding practices, aligning with ATT&CK technique T1190 for exploitation of vulnerabilities and T1071.004 for application layer protocol usage. Organizations should also conduct comprehensive database audits to identify and remediate similar vulnerabilities across their entire application portfolio, particularly focusing on components that handle user input through web interfaces.