A newly disclosed SQL injection vulnerability (CVE-2025-23176) in Apache Web Server has been rated with a CVSS score of 8.8 (High). The vulnerability, classified under CWE-89 for improper neutralization of SQL commands, was published on April 22, 2025, according to security advisories1. While specific affected versions remain undisclosed, the high severity rating warrants immediate attention from security teams.
Technical Overview
CVE-2025-23176 represents a classic SQL injection vulnerability where unsanitized input can modify SQL queries. The Apache HTTP Server’s implementation appears vulnerable to specially crafted requests that bypass input validation. This aligns with recent trends in web application vulnerabilities, where SQL injection remains prevalent despite being a well-known attack vector for over two decades2.
The vulnerability shares characteristics with other high-severity SQL injection flaws disclosed in 2025, including CVE-2025-32956 in MediaWiki’s ManageWiki extension and CVE-2025-32993 in Vision Helpdesk3. Like these cases, successful exploitation could lead to unauthorized database access, potentially exposing sensitive information or enabling further system compromise.
Mitigation Strategies
While awaiting an official patch from the Apache Software Foundation, organizations should implement layered defenses. The OWASP SQL Injection Prevention Cheat Sheet recommends parameterized queries as the primary defense mechanism4. For Apache configurations, this means:
- Reviewing all custom modules and scripts for direct SQL query concatenation
- Implementing mod_security with OWASP Core Rule Set for request filtering
- Applying principle of least privilege to database accounts
Web Application Firewalls (WAFs) can provide temporary protection, but as noted in ServerFault discussions, they should not be considered a permanent solution5. The Qualys Vulnerability Detection platform has demonstrated effectiveness in identifying similar SQL injection patterns through its Web App Scanning capabilities6.
Detection and Monitoring
Organizations should monitor for unusual database query patterns, particularly those containing SQL meta-characters. The following indicators may suggest exploitation attempts:
| Indicator | Example |
|---|---|
| SQL comment sequences | –, /* */ |
| Union statements | UNION SELECT |
| Conditional logic | OR 1=1 |
Log monitoring solutions should be configured to alert on these patterns in HTTP request logs. The MITRE ATT&CK framework classifies SQL injection under technique T1190 (Exploit Public-Facing Application)7, providing additional detection guidance.
Conclusion
CVE-2025-23176 underscores the persistent threat of SQL injection vulnerabilities in widely deployed web servers. Organizations running Apache HTTP Server should monitor for official patches while implementing interim controls. The vulnerability’s high CVSS score reflects the potential impact, though proper mitigation can significantly reduce risk.
This case highlights the importance of secure coding practices and regular security assessments, particularly for foundational web technologies. Future Apache HTTP Server releases beyond version 2.4.62 are expected to address this vulnerability8.
References
- “CVE-2025-23176 Advisory,” Israel Cyber Directorate. [Online]. Available: https://www.gov.il/en/departments/dynamiccollectors/cve_advisories_listing?skip=0
- “OWASP SQL Injection Prevention Cheat Sheet,” OWASP Foundation. [Online]. Available: https://owasp.org/www-community/attacks/SQL_Injection
- “GitHub Advisory GHSA-gg42-cv66-f5x7,” GitHub Security. [Online]. Available: https://github.com/miraheze/ManageWiki/security/advisories/GHSA-gg42-cv66-f5x7
- “ServerFault Discussion on SQLi Mitigation,” Stack Exchange. [Online]. Available: https://serverfault.com/a/989118
- “Qualys Vulnerability Detection Documentation,” Qualys. [Online]. Available: https://www.qualys.com/vulnerability-detection-pipeline/
- “MITRE ATT&CK T1190,” MITRE Corporation. [Online]. Available: https://attack.mitre.org/techniques/T1190/
- “Apache HTTP Server Security Vulnerabilities,” Apache Software Foundation. [Online]. Available: https://httpd.apache.org/security/vulnerabilities_24.html
