CVE-2018-25201 in School Management System CMS
Summary
by MITRE • 03/26/2026
School Management System CMS 1.0 contains an SQL injection vulnerability in the admin login functionality that allows attackers to bypass authentication by injecting SQL code through the username parameter. Attackers can submit malicious payloads using boolean-based blind SQL injection techniques to the processlogin endpoint to authenticate as administrator without valid credentials.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/26/2026
The School Management System CMS version 1.0 presents a critical security flaw that undermines the integrity of its authentication mechanism through a well-known SQL injection vulnerability. This vulnerability specifically targets the admin login functionality and operates at the application layer where user inputs are not properly sanitized before being processed by the database. The flaw manifests when attackers exploit the username parameter in the authentication flow, enabling them to manipulate the underlying SQL queries through crafted input payloads. The vulnerability has been classified under CWE-89 which represents improper neutralization of special elements used in an SQL command, making it a classic example of SQL injection that can be leveraged for unauthorized access to sensitive administrative functions.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability relies on boolean-based blind SQL injection techniques that allow attackers to infer information about the database structure and contents without direct error messages. When an attacker submits malicious input through the username field to the processlogin endpoint, the application fails to implement proper input validation or parameterized queries, resulting in the injection of unauthorized SQL code. This enables the attacker to construct queries that will always evaluate to true, effectively bypassing the authentication mechanism entirely. The vulnerability's impact is particularly severe because it allows full administrative access without requiring legitimate credentials, potentially leading to complete system compromise and unauthorized data manipulation.
The operational consequences of this vulnerability extend beyond simple unauthorized access, as it creates a persistent security risk that can be exploited by threat actors with minimal technical expertise. Successful exploitation can lead to data breaches, unauthorized modification of student records, administrative privilege escalation, and potential lateral movement within network environments where the system resides. The vulnerability's accessibility through the login interface makes it particularly dangerous as it can be exploited by anyone with basic knowledge of SQL injection techniques. According to ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability maps to T1190 - Exploit Public-Facing Application, representing a common attack vector that leverages publicly accessible web applications to gain unauthorized access to systems.
Organizations utilizing this software must implement immediate remediation measures to address the vulnerability, including the implementation of proper input validation, parameterized queries, and secure coding practices. The recommended mitigation strategy involves updating the application to a patched version that properly sanitizes user inputs and employs prepared statements or parameterized queries to prevent SQL injection. Additionally, network segmentation and access controls should be implemented to limit exposure of the vulnerable application to unauthorized users. Regular security assessments and code reviews should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other applications and ensure compliance with security standards such as OWASP Top Ten and NIST cybersecurity guidelines. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of input validation and proper database query construction in preventing authentication bypass attacks that can lead to complete system compromise.