CVE-2025-4004 in COVID19 Testing Management System
Summary
by MITRE • 04/28/2025
A vulnerability was found in PHPGurukul COVID19 Testing Management System 1.0. It has been declared as critical. This vulnerability affects unknown code of the file /password-recovery.php. The manipulation of the argument contactno leads to sql injection. The attack can be initiated remotely. The exploit has been disclosed to the public and may be used. Other parameters might be affected as well.
Be aware that VulDB is the high quality source for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/02/2025
The CVE-2025-4004 vulnerability represents a critical sql injection flaw within the PHPGurukul COVID19 Testing Management System version 1.0, specifically targeting the /password-recovery.php component. This vulnerability arises from insufficient input validation and sanitization mechanisms when processing the contactno parameter, creating a direct pathway for malicious actors to manipulate database queries through crafted input sequences. The flaw exists in the application's authentication recovery module where user contact information is processed to facilitate password reset functionality, making it a prime target for attackers seeking unauthorized access to user accounts. The vulnerability's classification as critical indicates the potential for severe data compromise and system infiltration, particularly given the sensitive nature of healthcare information typically handled by such systems. The sql injection vulnerability allows attackers to execute arbitrary database commands, potentially enabling data exfiltration, modification of user credentials, or complete database compromise.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through remote manipulation of the contactno argument within the password recovery endpoint, where the application fails to properly escape or parameterize user input before incorporating it into sql queries. This allows attackers to inject malicious sql payloads that can bypass authentication mechanisms, extract sensitive user data including usernames and hashed passwords, or even perform destructive operations on the database. The attack surface extends beyond the immediate contactno parameter, as the vulnerability suggests that other parameters within the same file may be susceptible to similar manipulation, indicating a broader code quality issue within the application's input handling mechanisms. The public disclosure of exploit details significantly increases the risk profile, as malicious actors can readily leverage this knowledge to target vulnerable installations without requiring advanced technical skills or extensive reconnaissance.
The operational impact of this vulnerability in healthcare environments cannot be overstated, as it directly threatens patient data security and system integrity within critical infrastructure. Healthcare organizations utilizing this vulnerable system face potential exposure of sensitive medical records, personal health information, and user credentials that could be exploited for identity theft, insurance fraud, or further network infiltration. The remote exploitation capability means that attackers can target vulnerable systems from anywhere on the internet without requiring physical access or insider knowledge, making the attack surface extremely broad. Organizations may experience regulatory compliance violations under healthcare data protection laws such as hipaa, potentially resulting in significant financial penalties and reputational damage. The vulnerability also creates opportunities for attackers to establish persistent access points within networks, as compromised user accounts often serve as entry points for broader lateral movement attacks.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability must be implemented immediately through multiple defensive layers. The primary remediation involves implementing proper input validation and parameterized queries throughout the application code, specifically addressing the contactno parameter and other potentially affected inputs within the password-recovery.php file. Organizations should deploy web application firewalls to detect and block sql injection attempts, while also implementing proper output encoding and least privilege database access controls. The application should be updated to use prepared statements or stored procedures that separate sql command structure from data, eliminating the possibility of sql injection through user input manipulation. Additionally, regular security assessments and code reviews should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities within the application's codebase, particularly focusing on areas where user input is processed without adequate sanitization. System administrators should also implement network segmentation to limit the potential impact of successful exploitation and establish monitoring protocols to detect anomalous database access patterns that may indicate sql injection activity. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-89 sql injection and ATT&CK techniques targeting credential access and execution phases, emphasizing the need for comprehensive defensive measures across multiple attack surface areas.