CVE-2025-25221 in LuxCal Web Calendar
Summary
by MITRE • 02/18/2025
The LuxCal Web Calendar prior to 5.3.3M (MySQL version) and prior to 5.3.3L (SQLite version) contains an SQL injection vulnerability in pdf.php. If this vulnerability is exploited, information in a database may be deleted, altered, or retrieved.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/15/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2025-25221 represents a critical SQL injection flaw within the LuxCal Web Calendar application affecting versions prior to 5.3.3M for MySQL installations and 5.3.3L for SQLite deployments. This vulnerability specifically resides within the pdf.php component of the calendar system, making it a targeted attack vector that could compromise the integrity and confidentiality of database contents. The flaw stems from insufficient input validation and sanitization mechanisms that fail to properly escape or filter user-supplied data before incorporating it into database queries, creating an exploitable condition that allows malicious actors to manipulate the underlying database structure through crafted input parameters.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability enables attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands against the affected database through the pdf.php interface, which operates as a PDF generation component for calendar events and data exports. This represents a classic SQL injection attack pattern where user-controllable parameters are directly concatenated into SQL statements without proper sanitization or parameterization. The vulnerability manifests as a CWE-89: Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an SQL Command, which falls under the broader category of injection flaws that are consistently ranked among the top cybersecurity risks by organizations such as OWASP and NIST. Attackers can leverage this weakness to perform unauthorized data operations including but not limited to data retrieval, modification, or deletion of calendar entries and associated user information.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data compromise, as it fundamentally undermines the security posture of systems utilizing affected LuxCal versions. Database administrators and security teams face the risk of unauthorized access to sensitive calendar information including event details, user schedules, and potentially personal identifiable information stored within the calendar system. The attack surface is particularly concerning given that calendar applications often contain confidential scheduling data, meeting notes, and organizational information that could be valuable for social engineering attacks or corporate espionage. Furthermore, the ability to delete or alter database content introduces the risk of data integrity compromise, which could disrupt business operations and potentially lead to compliance violations under data protection regulations such as GDPR or HIPAA.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability must prioritize immediate patching of affected systems to versions 5.3.3M or later for MySQL installations and 5.3.3L or later for SQLite deployments, as these releases contain the necessary security fixes to address the SQL injection flaw. Organizations should implement comprehensive input validation and parameterized query approaches across all database interactions within the application, ensuring that user-supplied data is properly escaped or parameterized before database execution. Network segmentation and access controls should be strengthened to limit exposure of the pdf.php endpoint to unauthorized users, while regular security audits and penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other components of the calendar system. Additionally, implementing database activity monitoring and intrusion detection systems can help identify anomalous database access patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts, providing early warning capabilities for security teams to respond to potential breaches. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical importance of maintaining current software versions and implementing robust input validation practices to prevent injection-based attacks that remain prevalent in web application security landscapes.