CVE-2018-25166
Received Received - Intake
SQL Injection in Meneame English Pligg 5.8 Exposes Data

Publication date: 2026-03-06

Last updated on: 2026-03-06

Assigner: VulnCheck

Description
Meneame English Pligg 5.8 contains an SQL injection vulnerability that allows unauthenticated attackers to execute arbitrary SQL queries by injecting malicious code through the search parameter. Attackers can send GET requests to index.php with crafted SQL payloads in the search parameter to extract sensitive database information including usernames, database names, and version details.
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Meta Information
Published
2026-03-06
Last Modified
2026-03-06
Generated
2026-06-16
AI Q&A
2026-03-06
EPSS Evaluated
2026-06-14
NVD
CVE-2018-25166
EUVD
EUVD-2018-21621
Affected Vendors & Products
Showing 1 associated CPE
Vendor Product Version / Range
meneame pligg to 5.8 (exc)
Helpful Resources
Exploitability
CWE
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KEV
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CWE ID Description
CWE-89 The product constructs all or part of an SQL command using externally-influenced input from an upstream component, but it does not neutralize or incorrectly neutralizes special elements that could modify the intended SQL command when it is sent to a downstream component. Without sufficient removal or quoting of SQL syntax in user-controllable inputs, the generated SQL query can cause those inputs to be interpreted as SQL instead of ordinary user data.
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Executive Summary

[{'type': 'paragraph', 'content': 'CVE-2018-25166 is a high-severity SQL injection vulnerability affecting Meneame English Pligg version 5.8 and earlier. It allows unauthenticated attackers to execute arbitrary SQL queries by injecting malicious code into the "search" parameter via GET requests to the index.php page.'}, {'type': 'paragraph', 'content': 'This means an attacker can craft a special URL with SQL code embedded in the search parameter, which the application then executes on its database. This can lead to unauthorized access to sensitive information stored in the database.'}] [1, 2]

Impact Analysis

Exploitation of this vulnerability allows attackers to extract sensitive database information such as usernames, database names, and version details without any authentication.

This unauthorized data retrieval can lead to data breaches, loss of confidentiality, and potentially further attacks against the system by leveraging the exposed information.

Compliance Impact

I don't know

Detection Guidance

[{'type': 'paragraph', 'content': "This vulnerability can be detected by sending crafted GET requests to the index.php page with malicious SQL payloads in the 'search' parameter and observing the response for signs of SQL injection."}, {'type': 'paragraph', 'content': 'A common detection method involves using tools like curl or wget to send test payloads that attempt to extract database information or cause SQL errors.'}, {'type': 'list_item', 'content': 'Example curl command to test for SQL injection: curl "http://target-site/index.php?search=\' OR \'1\'=\'1"'}, {'type': 'list_item', 'content': 'Using sqlmap, an automated SQL injection tool, to test the \'search\' parameter: sqlmap -u "http://target-site/index.php?search=test" --risk=3 --level=5'}] [1, 2]

Mitigation Strategies

[{'type': 'paragraph', 'content': "Immediate mitigation steps include applying input validation and sanitization on the 'search' parameter to prevent SQL injection."}, {'type': 'paragraph', 'content': 'If a patch or updated version of Meneame English Pligg is available, upgrade to the fixed version to eliminate the vulnerability.'}, {'type': 'paragraph', 'content': "As a temporary measure, consider implementing a web application firewall (WAF) to block malicious SQL injection payloads targeting the 'search' parameter."}, {'type': 'paragraph', 'content': 'Restricting database user permissions to limit the impact of a successful injection can also help mitigate damage.'}] [1]

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