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SQL Injection Vulnerability in GPS Tracking System Login – CVE-2018-25192

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CVE-2018-25192 SQL Injection CWE-89 Authentication Bypass

Overview

CVE-2018-25192 is a high-severity SQL injection vulnerability in GPS Tracking System version 2.12. The flaw affects login functionality where the username parameter is not properly sanitized before being used in SQL queries.

Attackers can inject crafted SQL payloads to manipulate authentication logic and bypass login controls without valid credentials, enabling unauthorized access to the tracking application.

Technical Specifications

Attribute Details
CVE ID CVE-2018-25192
Vulnerability Type SQL Injection (CWE-89)
CVSS Score 8.8 (High)
Affected Product GPS Tracking System
Affected Version 2.12
Attack Vector Network
Privileges Required None
User Interaction None
Primary Risk Authentication bypass and unauthorized platform access

Affected Products

  • GPS Tracking System deployments running version 2.12
  • Internet-exposed GPS/fleet tracking dashboards
  • Environments lacking query parameterization and robust input validation
  • Organizations using affected platform for location/fleet operations
  • Status: Vulnerable without patching or compensating controls

Technical Details

Root Cause

  • User-controlled login input is embedded directly into SQL statements.
  • Query construction does not use parameterized queries/prepared statements.
  • Malicious input can alter query logic during authentication.

Vulnerable Pattern

SELECT * FROM users WHERE username='$username' AND password='$password';

Example Injection Payload

admin' OR '1'='1

This input can transform authentication checks into always-true conditions.

Attack Scenario

  1. Target Discovery:

    • Attacker identifies publicly accessible GPS Tracking System login endpoints.

  2. Payload Submission:

    • Crafted HTTP POST request is sent to login.php with SQL injection in username.

  3. Query Manipulation:

    • Backend executes altered SQL authentication query.

  4. Authentication Bypass:

    • Attacker gains dashboard access without valid credentials.

  5. Post-Access Abuse:

    • Sensitive tracking data is viewed/exfiltrated; records may be modified or removed.

Impact Assessment

  • Unauthorized access to location telemetry and device data
  • Exposure of fleet operations and potentially sensitive movement patterns
  • Potential leakage of user/account information
  • Manipulation or deletion of tracking and management records
  • Unauthorized changes to operational dashboards and monitored assets
  • Trust degradation in tracking data used for decisions
  • Operational disruption from tampered tracking records
  • Potential service misuse for further attacks against connected environments
  • Increased incident response burden for affected organizations

Mitigation Strategies

Secure Coding and Query Handling

  • Implement prepared statements and parameterized queries for all database operations
  • Remove string-concatenated SQL in authentication and search workflows

Input Validation and Application Defense

  • Enforce strict server-side input validation/sanitization
  • Deploy WAF protections tuned for SQL injection patterns
  • Add centralized request logging and alerting for suspicious payloads

Database and Access Controls

  • Apply least-privilege permissions for database accounts
  • Separate application and administrative DB roles
  • Rotate credentials and monitor unusual authentication/database activity

Platform Lifecycle Actions

  • Update/patch affected application versions where fixes exist
  • If patch unavailable, apply compensating controls and isolate exposed interfaces
  • Strengthen authentication monitoring and incident response readiness

Resources and References

Open-Source References

Last Updated: March 9, 2026