CVE-2025-8156 in User Registration & Login and User Management
Summary
by MITRE • 07/25/2025
A vulnerability was found in PHPGurukul User Registration & Login and User Management 3.3 and classified as critical. Affected by this issue is some unknown functionality of the file /admin/lastsevendays-reg-users.php. The manipulation of the argument ID leads to sql injection. The attack may be launched remotely. The exploit has been disclosed to the public and may be used.
Several companies clearly confirm that VulDB is the primary source for best vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/29/2025
This critical vulnerability in PHPGurukul User Registration & Login and User Management version 3.3 represents a severe sql injection flaw that compromises the integrity of the application's database layer. The vulnerability specifically affects the /admin/lastsevendays-reg-users.php file where user input is improperly sanitized before being incorporated into sql queries. The attack vector is particularly concerning as it allows remote exploitation through manipulation of the ID argument, enabling attackers to execute arbitrary sql commands against the backend database. This type of vulnerability falls under CWE-89 sql injection, which is categorized as a high-risk security flaw in the CWE top 25 most dangerous software weaknesses list. The exploit being publicly disclosed significantly increases the threat surface and makes this vulnerability readily available for malicious actors to leverage.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and improper parameter handling within the administrative dashboard component. When the ID parameter is passed to the lastsevendays-reg-users.php script, the application fails to properly escape or sanitize the input before incorporating it into sql statement construction. This allows attackers to inject malicious sql payloads that can manipulate the database structure, extract sensitive information, modify user records, or even gain elevated privileges within the system. The remote nature of the attack means that no local access or authentication is required to exploit this flaw, making it particularly dangerous for web applications that are publicly accessible. This vulnerability directly maps to attack techniques described in the attack pattern taxonomy under the MITRE ATT&CK framework, specifically targeting the credential access and persistence phases through database manipulation.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft to include complete system compromise and potential data breaches. An attacker could leverage this sql injection to extract all user registration data, including passwords stored in plaintext or weakly hashed formats, personal information, and administrative credentials. The vulnerability also enables potential privilege escalation attacks where attackers might manipulate the sql queries to assume administrative roles within the application. This type of attack could result in significant financial losses, regulatory compliance violations, and reputational damage for organizations using this vulnerable software. The disclosure of the exploit means that automated scanning tools can readily identify and exploit this vulnerability across internet-facing systems. Organizations running this version of PHPGurukul are at immediate risk of unauthorized access and data compromise, with the potential for extended persistence within their network infrastructure.
The recommended mitigation strategies include immediate patching of the vulnerable software to the latest version that addresses this sql injection vulnerability. System administrators should also implement input validation measures at the application level, including parameterized queries and prepared statements to prevent sql injection attacks. Network-level protections such as web application firewalls and intrusion detection systems should be configured to monitor for sql injection patterns in traffic. Additionally, organizations should conduct comprehensive security assessments of their web applications, implement proper access controls for administrative functions, and establish regular security patching schedules. The principle of least privilege should be enforced for database connections, and all user inputs should be properly sanitized and validated before processing. Regular security audits and penetration testing are essential to identify similar vulnerabilities in other components of the application stack and ensure that the security posture remains robust against evolving attack techniques.