CVE-2025-52833 in LMS Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 07/04/2025
Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an SQL Command ('SQL Injection') vulnerability in designthemes LMS allows SQL Injection. This issue affects LMS: from n/a through 9.1.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/07/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2025-52833 represents a critical SQL injection flaw within the designthemes LMS platform, specifically targeting versions ranging from an unspecified initial release through version 9.1. This weakness falls under the well-documented category of improper neutralization of special elements in SQL commands, a pattern that has been consistently flagged by industry standards including CWE-89. The vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and sanitization mechanisms that fail to properly escape or encode user-supplied data before incorporating it into database queries.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability allows malicious actors to manipulate SQL query structures through crafted input parameters that are directly passed to the database layer without adequate sanitization. When user input containing special SQL characters or commands is processed by the LMS application, these elements can be interpreted by the database engine as part of the actual SQL command rather than as data, enabling unauthorized access to database resources. This flaw creates multiple attack vectors including data exfiltration, unauthorized data modification, and potential privilege escalation within the database environment.
From an operational standpoint, this vulnerability poses significant risks to organizations utilizing the designthemes LMS platform, as it could enable attackers to bypass authentication mechanisms, extract sensitive information from databases containing user credentials, personal data, or institutional records, and potentially establish persistent access points. The impact extends beyond simple data theft, as successful exploitation could lead to complete database compromise and unauthorized administrative access. The vulnerability's presence across multiple versions suggests a fundamental architectural flaw in the input handling mechanisms that requires immediate attention and remediation.
Security practitioners should implement comprehensive mitigation strategies including immediate code review and input validation enhancements, deployment of web application firewalls, and regular security testing to identify similar vulnerabilities. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under the T1190 technique for exploitation of remote services, while the CWE classification of 89 emphasizes the need for proper input sanitization and parameterized queries. Organizations must prioritize patching this vulnerability through official updates from designthemes, implement database access controls, and establish monitoring procedures to detect potential exploitation attempts. Additionally, the vulnerability highlights the importance of following secure coding practices and conducting regular security assessments to prevent similar issues in future software releases and development cycles.