CVE-2018-25382 in Zechat
Summary
by MITRE • 05/29/2026
Zechat 1.5 contains an SQL injection vulnerability that allows unauthenticated attackers to extract database information by injecting SQL code through the uname parameter. Attackers can send crafted requests to profile.php with UNION-based SQL injection payloads to retrieve table names, column names, and sensitive data from the information_schema database.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/05/2026
The vulnerability identified in Zechat 1.5 represents a critical security flaw that exposes the application to unauthorized data extraction through SQL injection techniques. This weakness resides in the profile.php script where the uname parameter is processed without adequate input validation or sanitization measures. The flaw enables unauthenticated attackers to manipulate database queries by injecting malicious SQL code directly through the username parameter, effectively bypassing normal authentication mechanisms and gaining access to sensitive database information.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability follows a classic UNION-based SQL injection pattern that leverages the application's failure to properly escape or parameterize user inputs. When an attacker submits a crafted request containing malicious SQL payloads through the uname parameter, the application processes this input directly within the database query structure. This allows the attacker to append additional SELECT statements that can access the information_schema database, which contains metadata about all database tables, columns, and structural elements. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it operates without requiring any valid authentication credentials, making it accessible to anyone who can reach the vulnerable endpoint.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft to encompass comprehensive database reconnaissance and potential privilege escalation. Attackers can extract table names, column structures, and even sensitive data from various database tables through carefully constructed UNION queries. The information_schema database access capability provides attackers with detailed knowledge of the database schema, enabling them to craft more sophisticated attacks targeting specific data elements. This vulnerability essentially provides a roadmap to the entire database structure, making subsequent attacks significantly more effective and targeted. The exposure of database metadata can lead to further exploitation opportunities including privilege escalation, data manipulation, and potential lateral movement within the affected infrastructure.
Security professionals should address this vulnerability through immediate input validation and parameterized query implementation. The primary mitigation strategy involves implementing proper input sanitization techniques that reject or escape special characters commonly used in SQL injection attacks. The application should utilize prepared statements or parameterized queries to ensure that user inputs are treated as data rather than executable code. Additionally, implementing proper access controls and authentication mechanisms for database connections can limit the damage even if the injection vulnerability is exploited. Organizations should also conduct regular security assessments and implement web application firewalls to detect and prevent such injection attempts. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-89 which specifically addresses improper neutralization of special elements used in SQL commands and relates to ATT&CK technique T1071.004 for application layer protocol manipulation. The remediation approach should follow security best practices outlined in OWASP Top Ten and NIST guidelines for preventing SQL injection vulnerabilities in web applications.