CVE-2018-25203 in Online Store System CMS
Summary
by MITRE • 03/26/2026
Online Store System CMS 1.0 contains an SQL injection vulnerability that allows unauthenticated attackers to manipulate database queries by injecting SQL code through the email parameter. Attackers can send POST requests to index.php with the action=clientaccess parameter using boolean-based blind or time-based blind SQL injection payloads in the email field to extract sensitive database information.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/06/2026
The CVE-2018-25203 vulnerability represents a critical SQL injection flaw in the Online Store System CMS version 1.0 that exposes the underlying database to unauthorized manipulation. This vulnerability exists within the application's input validation mechanisms, specifically in how the email parameter is processed when handling POST requests to the index.php endpoint with the action=clientaccess parameter. The flaw allows unauthenticated attackers to execute malicious SQL commands without requiring any prior authentication credentials, making it particularly dangerous as it can be exploited by anyone who can access the vulnerable web application.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability follows a classic blind SQL injection pattern where attackers can infer database contents through response timing or boolean logic outcomes. The vulnerability manifests when the application fails to properly sanitize or escape user input submitted through the email field, allowing malicious payloads to be interpreted as part of the SQL query rather than as simple data. This type of injection can be executed using either boolean-based blind techniques, where the attacker sends multiple requests and observes different response behaviors to determine true or false conditions, or time-based blind methods that rely on database functions that cause delays in response times when specific conditions are met. The vulnerability specifically targets the email parameter, which suggests that the application uses this field in database queries without proper input sanitization.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe and multifaceted, as it provides attackers with the capability to extract sensitive database information without authentication. Successful exploitation could lead to complete database compromise, including access to user credentials, personal information, financial data, and potentially the application's configuration details. The vulnerability affects the integrity and confidentiality of the entire system, as attackers can not only read data but potentially modify or delete it. The unauthenticated nature of the attack means that the threat landscape is significantly expanded since no credentials are required to initiate the exploitation process, making this vulnerability particularly attractive to automated attack tools and malicious actors seeking to exploit vulnerable systems at scale.
Security practitioners should implement immediate mitigations including input validation and parameterized queries to prevent SQL injection attacks of this nature. The CWE (Common Weakness Enumeration) classification for this vulnerability aligns with CWE-89 which specifically addresses SQL injection flaws, and the ATT&CK framework would categorize this under T1190 - Exploit Public-Facing Application as it targets a web application interface. Organizations should deploy web application firewalls to detect and block malicious SQL injection patterns, ensure all user inputs are properly escaped or parameterized, and implement proper input validation controls. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to identify similar issues in other applications, as this vulnerability demonstrates how basic input sanitization failures can create significant security risks. The remediation process should include code review to ensure all database query parameters are properly handled and that the application follows secure coding practices that prevent user-controllable data from being directly incorporated into SQL statements without proper sanitization.