CVE-2018-25403 in Open ISES Project
Summary
by MITRE • 05/29/2026
The Open ISES Project 3.30A contains an SQL injection vulnerability that allows unauthenticated attackers to execute arbitrary SQL queries by injecting malicious code through the p1 parameter. Attackers can send GET requests to city_graph.php with crafted SQL payloads to extract sensitive database information including schema names and other data.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/30/2026
The Open ISES Project version 3.30A presents a critical SQL injection vulnerability that fundamentally compromises database security through improper input validation mechanisms. This vulnerability exists within the city_graph.php script where the p1 parameter fails to properly sanitize user-supplied input, creating an exploitable condition that allows unauthenticated attackers to inject malicious SQL code directly into the database query execution pipeline. The flaw represents a classic example of inadequate parameter validation and demonstrates how seemingly innocuous web application parameters can become gateways for extensive data breaches and system compromise.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-89 which specifically addresses SQL injection flaws where untrusted data is incorporated into SQL commands without proper sanitization or parameterization. Attackers can construct GET requests containing malicious SQL payloads that bypass normal input filtering mechanisms, enabling them to execute arbitrary database queries against the underlying database system. The vulnerability specifically targets the p1 parameter in the city_graph.php endpoint, which processes user input directly within SQL query construction without appropriate escaping or parameter binding mechanisms. This allows threat actors to manipulate database operations to extract sensitive information including database schema names, table structures, and potentially confidential data stored within the system.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends far beyond simple data extraction, as it provides attackers with the capability to perform complete database enumeration and potentially gain unauthorized access to sensitive information. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to discover database schema information, extract user credentials, access confidential records, and potentially escalate privileges within the database system. The unauthenticated nature of the attack means that any external party can exploit this vulnerability without requiring legitimate credentials, making the impact particularly severe for applications that handle sensitive data. This vulnerability directly maps to multiple ATT&CK techniques including T1071.004 for application layer protocol usage and T1046 for network service scanning, as attackers can systematically probe and exploit this weakness to map database structures and extract valuable intelligence.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability must address the root cause through comprehensive input validation and parameterized query implementation. Organizations should immediately implement proper parameter binding mechanisms for all database queries, ensuring that user input is treated as data rather than executable code. The application should employ prepared statements with bound parameters to eliminate the possibility of SQL injection through the p1 parameter. Additionally, implementing input validation filters that reject suspicious SQL characters and patterns can provide additional defense in depth. Network-level protections including web application firewalls and intrusion prevention systems can help detect and block malicious SQL injection attempts. Regular security assessments and code reviews should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other application components, as this represents a common class of weakness that frequently appears in web applications. The vulnerability also underscores the importance of keeping software components updated and following secure coding practices that prioritize input sanitization and proper database interaction patterns.