In PHP versions 8.1.* before 8.1.33, 8.2.* before 8.2.29, 8.3.* before 8.3.23, and 8.4.*, the pgsql and pdo_pgsql escaping functions do not check if the underlying quoting functions returned errors. This vulnerability allows crashes to occur if the Postgres server rejects the string as invalid. As a result, organizations using these PHP versions are at risk.
The severity level of this vulnerability is classified as medium, with a CVSS score of 5.9. This indicates that while there may not be an immediate critical threat, there is still a significant risk that organizations should address. The potential for crashes may disrupt application availability, making it essential for administrators to take this vulnerability seriously.
Currently, there are no known exploits or public proof of concepts associated with this vulnerability. However, organizations should not become complacent. As with all vulnerabilities, the risk to organizations includes potential service disruptions, and attackers may leverage this oversight in the pgsql escaping functions to cause issues.
Organizations should prioritize patching immediately. Remediation is crucial to ensure that applications running on affected PHP versions are protected against possible crashes due to invalid string handling.
Vulnerability Details
The vulnerability, CVE-2025-1735, affects the PHP programming language, specifically in its pgsql and pdo_pgsql escaping functionalities across multiple versions. The official description states that these functions do not check for errors returned by the underlying quoting functions. This oversight can lead to significant application crashes if a Postgres server rejects a string as invalid.
The vulnerability is classified under CWE-89 (Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an SQL Command) and CWE-476 (NULL Pointer Dereference), highlighting the critical nature of input validation in web applications. The CVSS score assigned to this vulnerability is 5.9, indicating a medium severity level.
This vulnerability was published on July 13, 2025, and affects PHP products with versions lower than 8.1.33, 8.2.29, 8.3.23, and 8.4.10. Organizations utilizing these versions are advised to update to the latest patched versions as soon as possible.
Technical Analysis
The root cause of CVE-2025-1735 lies within the error handling mechanisms of the pgsql and pdo_pgsql escaping functions in PHP. These functions fail to verify whether the underlying quoting functions return errors, which can result in crashes when invalid strings are processed by the Postgres server.
The attack vector for this vulnerability is network-based, meaning that an attacker could potentially exploit it over a network connection. The attack complexity is rated as high, indicating that successful exploitation requires specific conditions or knowledge. Furthermore, privileges required for the attack are none, and user interaction is also not needed.
In terms of impact, the vulnerability can severely affect availability, with no confidentiality or integrity impact reported. This means that while an attacker may not gain unauthorized access to data, the resulting application crashes could lead to a denial of service.
Risk & Impact Analysis
Organizations using affected versions of PHP face real-world deployment risks, particularly in production environments where application uptime is critical. The possibility of application crashes could disrupt business operations and lead to significant financial losses. As the PHP language is widely used in web applications, the blast radius of this vulnerability could be extensive, affecting numerous applications and services.
Given the medium severity level and the potential for availability impact, organizations should assess their risk exposure and schedule remediation actions. The CVSS score indicates that while this isn't an immediate critical threat, it still requires timely attention.
Exploitation Status
Signal | Status |
|---|---|
Known Exploit | No |
Public PoC | No |
Actively Exploited | No |
Ransomware Use | No |
Affected Versions
All versions of PHP prior to the following versions are affected: 8.1.33, 8.2.29, 8.3.23, and 8.4.10. Organizations running these versions should upgrade to mitigate the risk associated with this vulnerability.
Mitigation & Remediation
To remediate this vulnerability, organizations should apply the relevant patches provided by the PHP development team. Upgrading to PHP versions 8.1.33, 8.2.29, 8.3.23, or 8.4.10 will resolve the issue.
For organizations unable to upgrade immediately, it is advised to implement strict input validation on any data sent to the pgsql and pdo_pgsql functions. Additionally, monitoring logs for unusual application behavior can help identify potential issues stemming from this vulnerability.
Organizations should also consider implementing network controls to limit exposure and maintain security hygiene through regular updates and security testing practices. For further assistance, organizations can refer to the penetration testing services offered by AppSecure.
Detection Guidance
Organizations should monitor application logs for indicators of misuse or failures related to SQL escaping functions. Key indicators include error messages from the Postgres server and application crashes. Behavioral anomalies in the application that coincide with database operations should also raise alerts.
AppSecure Threat Intelligence Insight
The long-term significance of CVE-2025-1735 highlights the importance of robust error handling in software development. As applications increasingly rely on complex database interactions, the need for thorough validation processes becomes critical.
This vulnerability represents a trend where improper handling of database interactions can lead to severe application failures. Security teams should learn from this incident to strengthen their validation practices and ensure resilience against similar issues in the future.
A strategic takeaway for security practitioners is to prioritize comprehensive testing of database-related functionalities. Regular assessments, including penetration testing methodologies, can help identify weaknesses before they can be exploited.
Additionally, security teams should stay informed about emerging vulnerabilities to proactively address risks and maintain a secure application environment. For further insights, see our resource on vulnerability management programs and effective strategies for risk mitigation.
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
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