Author: Ameeba

CVE-2025-2291: Expired Passwords Remain Usable in PgBouncer
Overview

The recently identified vulnerability, CVE-2025-2291, poses a significant risk to systems utilizing the PgBouncer software. This vulnerability allows an attacker to log into a system with an already expired password. This is due to the auth_query functionality not considering the VALID UNTIL value from Postgres. As a result, systems that rely on PgBouncer for connection pooling are at risk of unauthorized access and data leakage.
This vulnerability is of critical concern to organizations that have integrated PgBouncer into their PostgreSQL deployments. If exploited, it could lead to system compromise and potential data leakage, which could have severe consequences on the integrity and confidentiality of the system data.

Vulnerability Summary

CVE ID: CVE-2025-2291
Severity: Critical (8.1 CVSS score)
Attack Vector: Network
Privileges Required: None
User Interaction: None
Impact: System compromise and potential data leakage

Affected Products

Product | Affected Versions

PgBouncer | All versions prior to the patch

How the Exploit Works

The exploit takes advantage of the fact that PgBouncer’s auth_query does not factor in the VALID UNTIL value from Postgres. As a result, when a password expires, PgBouncer continues to accept it as a valid credential. This allows an attacker to use an expired password to gain unauthorized access to the system.

Conceptual Example Code

Here is a conceptual example of how the vulnerability might be exploited:
```
-- Assume that 'userA' has an expired password
SELECT * FROM pg_shadow WHERE usename = 'userA' AND valuntil < CURRENT_TIMESTAMP;
-- If the above query returns a result, it means the password is expired but still usable in PgBouncer
```
In the above example, an attacker can attempt to log in as ‘userA’ using the expired password. If the system has the CVE-2025-2291 vulnerability, the login attempt will be successful despite the expired password.

Mitigation Guidance

The recommended mitigation for this vulnerability is to apply the vendor patch as soon as it becomes available. In the interim, organizations can use a Web Application Firewall (WAF) or an Intrusion Detection System (IDS) to detect and prevent unauthorized access attempts. Furthermore, organizations can also implement more frequent password changes and monitor for unusual login activity as additional safeguards.
May 1, 2025
CVE-2025-3529: Sensitive Information Exposure in WordPress Simple Shopping Cart Plugin
Overview

The CVE-2025-3529 vulnerability is an alarming cybersecurity risk that involves the WordPress Simple Shopping Cart plugin. This vulnerability affects all versions up to and including version 5.1.2. The risk associated with this vulnerability is of significant concern, as it enables unauthenticated attackers to access and download digital products without paying for them, potentially exposing sensitive information. This vulnerability underscores the importance of taking proactive steps to secure WordPress plugins, particularly those that handle financial transactions and digital product deliveries, from potential cyber threats.

Vulnerability Summary

CVE ID: CVE-2025-3529
Severity: High (8.2 CVSS Score)
Attack Vector: Network
Privileges Required: None
User Interaction: None
Impact: Potential system compromise or data leakage

Affected Products

Product | Affected Versions

WordPress Simple Shopping Cart Plugin |

How the Exploit Works

The vulnerability germinates from an insecure direct object reference (IDOR) within the ‘file_url’ parameter in the WordPress Simple Shopping Cart plugin. An attacker can manipulate this parameter to access files directly, bypassing the need for authentication or payment. This allows a malicious actor to download digital products for free and might expose sensitive system information.

Conceptual Example Code

Here is a simplified, conceptual example of how an attacker might exploit this vulnerability:
```
GET /download.php?file_url=/path/to/digital/product HTTP/1.1
Host: vulnerable-website.com
```
In this example, the attacker is directly referencing the file’s path they wish to download. Without proper security checks in place, the server could serve this file, enabling the attacker to download a digital product without paying for it.

Mitigation and Recommendations

The most effective mitigation for this vulnerability is to apply the vendor-provided patch. If for some reason, the patch cannot be applied immediately, a Web Application Firewall (WAF) or Intrusion Detection System (IDS) could help detect and block attempts to exploit this vulnerability.
Website administrators using the WordPress Simple Shopping Cart plugin should update to the latest version as soon as possible to mitigate the risk. Additionally, it is advisable to conduct regular security audits and vulnerability assessments to ensure the integrity and security of your systems.
May 1, 2025
CVE-2025-46241: SQL Injection Vulnerability in Appointment Booking Calendar
Overview

This blog post will detail a significant security vulnerability identified as CVE-2025-46241, which affects the Appointment Booking Calendar by CodePeople. This vulnerability is a Cross-Site Request Forgery (CSRF) issue that allows for SQL injection, a common yet highly dangerous attack that could lead to system compromise or data leakage. Given the widespread use of the Appointment Booking Calendar in various websites and applications, the implications of this vulnerability are far-reaching and could significantly impact both users and service providers.

Vulnerability Summary

CVE ID: CVE-2025-46241
Severity: High (CVSS: 8.2)
Attack Vector: Network
Privileges Required: None
User Interaction: Required
Impact: Potential system compromise or data leakage

Affected Products

Product | Affected Versions

Appointment Booking Calendar | n/a to 1.3.92

How the Exploit Works

The exploit works by taking advantage of a CSRF vulnerability in the Appointment Booking Calendar. An attacker tricks the victim into clicking a link or loading a page that contains a malicious request. This request is then sent from the victim’s browser, with all their authentication details, to the website or application that the attacker is targeting. Since the website or application believes the request to be legitimate, it processes the request. In this case, the malicious request contains an SQL injection, which manipulates the database query process and allows the attacker to view, modify or delete data from the database.

Conceptual Example Code

Here’s a simplified conceptual example of a malicious HTTP request exploiting this vulnerability:
```
POST /appointment/book HTTP/1.1
Host: target.example.com
Content-Type: application/x-www-form-urlencoded
csrf_token=...&appointment_id=1; DROP TABLE users; --
```
In the above example, the attacker crafted a `POST` request to book an appointment. The `appointment_id` parameter is manipulated with SQL commands `DROP TABLE users; –` that could potentially delete the user’s database if the server processes this request.
The safety and security of any platform or application are of utmost importance. As such, it is highly recommended for users and providers of the Appointment Booking Calendar to apply the vendor patch as soon as possible. In the meantime, using a Web Application Firewall or Intrusion Detection System could serve as a temporary mitigation measure.
May 1, 2025
CVE-2025-43917: Privilege Escalation Vulnerability in Pritunl Client
Overview

The vulnerability in question, CVE-2025-43917, is a critical security flaw that primarily affects the Pritunl Client software, specifically versions before 1.3.4220.57. This vulnerability could allow an administrator with access to /Applications to escalate privileges, which could lead to potential system compromise or data leakage. It is a significant issue because Pritunl Client is widely used, and this flaw could potentially put a vast number of systems at risk.

Vulnerability Summary

CVE ID: CVE-2025-43917
Severity: High (8.2 CVSS Score)
Attack Vector: Local
Privileges Required: Low (Administrator)
User Interaction: Required
Impact: Potential system compromise or data leakage

Affected Products

Product | Affected Versions

Pritunl Client | Before 1.3.4220.57

How the Exploit Works

The exploit hinges on the fact that an administrator can escalate privileges by manipulating files after uninstalling the product. Specifically, the administrator can insert a file in the place of the removed pritunl-service file. When the system reboots, a LaunchDaemon executes this file as root, thus allowing the administrator to gain elevated privileges and potentially compromising the system or causing data leakage.

Conceptual Example Code

Given the nature of this vulnerability, a conceptual example would involve the replacement of the pritunl-service file with a malicious one. Here’s a high-level representation of the steps:
```
# Step 1: Remove the Pritunl Client
$ sudo rm -rf /Applications/Pritunl.app
# Step 2: Create a malicious file to replace pritunl-service
$ echo "malicious code here" > /Applications/Pritunl.app/Contents/Resources/pritunl-service
# Step 3: Change the permissions of the malicious file to make it executable
$ chmod +x /Applications/Pritunl.app/Contents/Resources/pritunl-service
# Step 4: Reboot system to execute the malicious file as root
$ sudo reboot
```
Please note that this example is for illustrative purposes only and does not contain actual malicious code. The actual code and steps used by an attacker might vary based on their specific intentions and the nuances of the target system.

Mitigation Guidance

To mitigate the severity of this vulnerability, users should apply the vendor patch as soon as possible. In the interim, using a Web Application Firewall (WAF) or an Intrusion Detection System (IDS) can provide temporary mitigation. However, these measures should not be seen as a long-term solution because they do not address the root cause of the issue.
May 1, 2025
CVE-2025-0467: Kernel Memory Exploit in Guest VMs
Overview

CVE-2025-0467 is a high severity vulnerability that affects the kernel software running inside a Guest Virtual Machine (VM). This vulnerability involves the exploitation of memory that is shared with the GPU Firmware, leading to potential data writing outside the Guest’s virtualized GPU memory. This could result in a system compromise or data leakage, posing significant threats to both system integrity and data security. Given the ubiquity of virtual machines in today’s IT infrastructure, this vulnerability is of considerable concern to organizations of all sizes across various industries.

Vulnerability Summary

CVE ID: CVE-2025-0467
Severity: High (CVSS: 8.2)
Attack Vector: Network
Privileges Required: Low
User Interaction: None
Impact: System compromise and potential data leakage

Affected Products

Product | Affected Versions

Kernel Software | All versions prior to patch

How the Exploit Works

The exploit works by manipulating the kernel software inside a Guest VM to access memory shared with the GPU Firmware. The attacker can then write data outside the Guest’s virtualized GPU memory. This could be used to overwrite important system data or inject malicious code, leading to system compromise. The attacker can also potentially access sensitive information stored in the GPU memory, leading to data leakage.

Conceptual Example Code

Here’s a
conceptual
example of how the vulnerability might be exploited, assuming the attacker has already obtained access to the Guest VM:
```
# Gain access to GPU memory
gpu_mem_access = get_gpu_mem_access()
# Write data outside the Guest's virtualized GPU memory
write_outside_gpu_mem(gpu_mem_access, "malicious_data")
```
This pseudocode demonstrates the underlying concept of the exploit. The function `get_gpu_mem_access` is used to gain access to the GPU memory, and the function `write_outside_gpu_mem` is used to write data outside the Guest’s virtualized GPU memory.

Mitigation and Prevention

The recommended mitigation for this vulnerability is to apply the vendor’s patch. If a patch is not immediately available, users are advised to use a Web Application Firewall (WAF) or Intrusion Detection System (IDS) as a temporary mitigation measure. Regular system and software updates, along with robust cybersecurity practices, can help prevent such vulnerabilities from being exploited in the first place.
May 1, 2025
CVE-2025-22636: Cross-site Scripting Vulnerability in VR-Frases Leads to Potential System Compromise
Overview

CVE-2025-22636 is a high-severity vulnerability that affects the VR-Frases software. It’s an instance of a Cross-site Scripting (XSS) vulnerability, a common issue that allows attackers to inject malicious scripts into web applications viewed by users. This vulnerability can lead to a potential system compromise or data leakage, posing a significant security threat to VR-Frases users. In this post, we will dive deep into the details of this vulnerability, how it could be exploited, and the measures you can take to mitigate the risk.

Vulnerability Summary

CVE ID: CVE-2025-22636
Severity: High (CVSS 8.2)
Attack Vector: Network
Privileges Required: None
User Interaction: Required
Impact: System compromise or data leakage

Affected Products

Product | Affected Versions

Vicente Ruiz Gálvez VR-Frases | Up to and including 3.0.1

How the Exploit Works

The underlying issue of this vulnerability is the improper neutralization of input during the generation of web pages, also known as a ‘Cross-Site Scripting’ vulnerability. In simpler terms, the VR-Frases software fails to sanitize user input properly. This oversight allows an attacker to include malicious scripts in their input, which are then executed when the web page is loaded. Because the scripts run in the context of the victim’s session, they can access sensitive data and potentially compromise the system.

Conceptual Example Code

The following is a conceptual example illustrating how an attacker might exploit this vulnerability. In this scenario, an attacker sends a specially crafted HTTP request containing malicious JavaScript code. Upon loading the page, the victim’s browser executes the script.
```
GET /vr-frases/search?q=<script>malicious_code_here</script> HTTP/1.1
Host: target.example.com
```
Mitigation and Prevention

To mitigate this vulnerability, users of VR-Frases should apply the patch provided by the vendor as soon as possible. This patch fixes the input sanitization issue and prevents the execution of malicious scripts.
In cases where immediate patching isn’t feasible, a web application firewall (WAF) or intrusion detection system (IDS) can provide temporary protection. These systems can be configured to detect and block attempts to exploit this vulnerability. However, these are only stopgap measures and cannot replace the need for patching.
Remember, staying updated on the latest patches and security advisories is one of the most effective ways of maintaining your cybersecurity. In a dynamic and evolving landscape, being proactive about security is critical.
May 1, 2025
CVE-2025-31478: Zulip Server Vulnerability Allowing Unauthorized Account Creation
Overview

The Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures (CVE) system has recently identified a significant vulnerability, tagged as CVE-2025-31478, in the Zulip team collaboration tool. This open-source software facilitates team collaboration, but it is currently suffering from a notable bug that allows the creation of unauthorized accounts. This vulnerability specifically affects organizations that use Zulip and have disabled the EmailAuthBackend, thus relying on Single Sign-On (SSO) authentication. The issue is critical as it can lead to potential system compromise or data leakage, thereby posing severe threats to the security and privacy of the affected organizations.

Vulnerability Summary

CVE ID: CVE-2025-31478
Severity: High (CVSS: 8.2)
Attack Vector: Network
Privileges Required: None
User Interaction: None
Impact: System compromise or data leakage

Affected Products

Product | Affected Versions

Zulip Server | Prior to 10.2

How the Exploit Works

The exploit takes advantage of a flaw in the Zulip server’s authentication system. Specifically, when the EmailAuthBackend is disabled, Zulip relies on SSO authentication. However, the bug allows an attacker to bypass this SSO requirement and create an account without an SSO authenticated backend. This unauthorized account creation can potentially grant an attacker access to sensitive data or control over the compromised system.

Conceptual Example Code

In a conceptual scenario, an attacker may send a HTTP POST request to the Zulip server’s account creation endpoint. The malicious request might look something like this:
```
POST /api/v1/accounts/create HTTP/1.1
Host: zulip-vulnerable-server.com
Content-Type: application/json
{
"email": "attacker@malicious.com",
"password": "password123",
"realm": "org_zulip"
}
```
In this example, “attacker@malicious.com” is the email the attacker is trying to register, “password123” is the desired password, and “org_zulip” is the organization the attacker is attempting to infiltrate.

Workaround and Mitigation

The recommended mitigation for this vulnerability is to apply the vendor-supplied patch, which is included in Zulip Server version 10.2. In the interim, organizations can use a Web Application Firewall (WAF) or Intrusion Detection System (IDS) to help mitigate the vulnerability. Additionally, requiring invitations to join the organization can prevent the vulnerability from being exploited.
May 1, 2025
CVE-2025-3776: Remote Code Execution Vulnerability in WordPress TargetSMS Plugin
Overview

The world of cybersecurity is an ever-evolving landscape, with new threats constantly emerging. One such threat that has recently been identified and categorized under the Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures (CVE) system is CVE-2025-3776. This vulnerability affects the WordPress plugin, Verification SMS with TargetSMS, and could have severe implications if not addressed immediately. This is especially concerning as WordPress is used by millions of individuals and businesses worldwide, making this a potential large-scale cybersecurity issue.

Vulnerability Summary

CVE ID: CVE-2025-3776
Severity: High (CVSS: 8.3)
Attack Vector: Network
Privileges Required: None
User Interaction: None
Impact: Potential system compromise or data leakage

Affected Products

Product | Affected Versions

Verification SMS with TargetSMS (WordPress Plugin) | All Versions up to 1.5

How the Exploit Works

The vulnerability CVE-2025-3776 arises from a lack of validation on the type of function that can be called within the ‘targetvr_ajax_handler’ function of the WordPress plugin, Verification SMS with TargetSMS. Specifically, the vulnerability allows unauthenticated attackers to execute any callable function on the site, such as phpinfo(). This serves as a potential gateway for attackers to execute remote code, leading to system compromise or data leakage.

Conceptual Example Code

Below is a conceptual example of how this vulnerability could be exploited. In this scenario, an attacker sends an HTTP POST request with a malicious payload that calls the phpinfo() function.
```
POST /wp-admin/admin-ajax.php HTTP/1.1
Host: target.example.com
Content-Type: application/json
{
"action": "targetvr_ajax_handler",
"function": "phpinfo",
"parameters": {}
}
```
In this example, since the ‘targetvr_ajax_handler’ function does not validate the type of function being invoked, the attacker is able to call the phpinfo() function, which could potentially expose sensitive system information.

Mitigation and Remediation

The most effective way to mitigate this vulnerability is by applying the vendor-supplied patch. If the patch is not available or cannot be applied immediately, the use of a Web Application Firewall (WAF) or Intrusion Detection System (IDS) can serve as a temporary mitigation method. These systems can help detect and block malicious requests that attempt to exploit this vulnerability.
In the long run, it is recommended to regularly update all WordPress plugins to their latest versions and consider adopting a security-first approach in the development cycle to prevent such vulnerabilities from arising in the future.
April 30, 2025
CVE-2025-1951: Command Execution Vulnerability in IBM Hardware Management Console
Overview

The cybersecurity world has recently been alerted to a new vulnerability, tagged CVE-2025-1951, which is impacting the IBM Hardware Management Console (HMC) for Power Systems. This vulnerability could enable a local user to execute commands with elevated privileges, potentially compromising the entire system or leading to data leakage. Given the primary function of the HMC as a means for administrators to manage a number of systems, this vulnerability is especially concerning as it could provide an attacker with extensive access and control over sensitive systems.
It’s crucial that IT administrators, particularly those utilizing IBM Power Systems, understand the details of this vulnerability, how it might be exploited, and the steps necessary for mitigation. As with all cybersecurity threats, knowledge and swift action are key to minimizing potential damage.

Vulnerability Summary

CVE ID: CVE-2025-1951
Severity: High (CVSS: 8.4)
Attack Vector: Local
Privileges Required: Low
User Interaction: None
Impact: System compromise or data leakage

Affected Products

Product | Affected Versions

IBM Hardware Management Console – Power Systems | V10.2.1030.0
IBM Hardware Management Console – Power Systems | V10.3.1050.0

How the Exploit Works

This vulnerability arises due to the software’s execution of certain commands with unnecessary privileges. An attacker, by exploiting this vulnerability, could run commands as a privileged user, even if they only have low-level access rights. This allows them to potentially alter system configurations, access sensitive data, or perform other actions typically restricted to high-privilege users.

Conceptual Example Code

The following pseudocode is a conceptual example of how the vulnerability might be exploited:
```
# Attacker gains low-level access to the system
login_as_low_privilege_user()
# Exploit the vulnerability to run a command as a privileged user
run_as_privileged('cat /etc/shadow')
```
In this example, the attacker logs in with low-level access, then uses the vulnerability to run a command (`cat /etc/shadow`) which is typically restricted to high-privilege users. This command would allow the attacker to view encrypted password data, illustrating the potential for system compromise or data leakage.

Mitigation Guidance

IBM has released patches for the affected versions of the HMC. All users of the affected software versions are advised to apply these patches immediately. If immediate patching is not possible, using a Web Application Firewall (WAF) or an Intrusion Detection System (IDS) can serve as a temporary mitigation measure. However, these should not be seen as long-term solutions and patching should be prioritized to fully secure the system.
April 30, 2025
CVE-2025-39377: SQL Injection Vulnerability in weDevs Appsero Helper
Overview

The Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures (CVE) system has recently identified a critical SQL Injection vulnerability, labeled CVE-2025-39377, in the weDevs Appsero Helper. This vulnerability is particularly concerning due to the potential for system compromise and data leakage. SQL Injection is a code injection technique that attackers can use to manipulate the database query, often leading to unauthorized access to sensitive data. Given the wide usage of weDevs Appsero Helper, the vulnerability could potentially impact a large number of users and systems.

Vulnerability Summary

CVE ID: CVE-2025-39377
Severity: High (8.5 CVSS Score)
Attack Vector: Network
Privileges Required: Low
User Interaction: None
Impact: Unauthorized system access and potential data leakage

Affected Products

Product | Affected Versions

weDevs Appsero Helper | n/a – 1.3.4

How the Exploit Works

The SQL injection vulnerability in weDevs Appsero Helper, as described by the CVE-2025-39377, occurs due to improper neutralization of special elements used in an SQL command. This allows an attacker to inject malicious SQL commands via user input fields that are incorporated into SQL queries without proper sanitization. Successful exploitation of this vulnerability could allow an attacker to access, modify, or delete data, or even execute administrative operations on the database.

Conceptual Example Code

The vulnerability might be exploited in the following conceptual example:
```
POST /vulnerable/endpoint HTTP/1.1
Host: target.example.com
Content-Type: application/json
{ "userInput": "'; DROP TABLE users; --" }
```
In this example, the attacker sends a JSON payload containing a malicious SQL command. The command is crafted in such a way that it ends the current SQL statement, then adds a new one (`DROP TABLE users`) that deletes the ‘users’ table. The `–` at the end is a SQL comment that effectively ignores the rest of the original SQL statement.

Prevention and Mitigation

To mitigate this vulnerability, users are advised to apply vendor patches as soon as they become available. In the interim, a web application firewall (WAF) or intrusion detection/prevention system (IDS/IPS) can provide temporary mitigation by detecting and blocking SQL injection attempts. Additionally, it is crucial to follow best practices for secure coding, such as using parameterized queries or prepared statements to prevent SQL injection.
April 30, 2025