CVE-2025-54790 is a critical SQL Injection vulnerability (CWE-89) affecting the 'Files' module (cfiles) of the HumHub social collaboration platform, specifically versions prior to 0.16.10. The Files module manages file storage and access within user profiles and spaces. The vulnerability arises from improper neutralization of special elements in SQL commands, allowing an attacker to manipulate backend SQL queries. Notably, the flaw exists in queries that do not produce direct output, which can enable unauthorized access to sensitive data without immediate visibility. This lack of input sanitization or parameterization in the affected versions allows remote attackers to inject malicious SQL code without requiring authentication or user interaction. The vulnerability is rated with a CVSS 4.0 score of 9.2 (critical), indicating high impact and ease of exploitation over the network with no privileges or user interaction needed. Although no known exploits are currently reported in the wild, the severity and nature of the flaw make it a significant risk. The issue was fixed in version 0.16.10 by adding proper input validation or query parameterization to prevent SQL injection attacks. Organizations using HumHub cfiles module versions below 0.16.10 are at risk of unauthorized data disclosure and potential further compromise through database manipulation or extraction.

For European organizations, this vulnerability poses a severe risk to confidentiality and data integrity within collaboration environments using HumHub. Exploitation could lead to unauthorized access to sensitive corporate or personal data stored in the Files module, including documents shared within teams or user profiles. This could result in data breaches violating GDPR and other data protection regulations, leading to legal penalties and reputational damage. Additionally, attackers might leverage the SQL injection to escalate privileges, modify or delete data, or pivot to other internal systems, potentially disrupting business operations. Given the critical CVSS score and no requirement for authentication, the threat surface is broad, especially for organizations with public-facing HumHub instances or insufficient network segmentation. The impact extends beyond data loss to potential compliance violations and operational disruption, making timely remediation essential.

1. Immediate upgrade of the HumHub cfiles module to version 0.16.10 or later, where the vulnerability is patched. 2. If upgrading is not immediately feasible, implement Web Application Firewall (WAF) rules specifically designed to detect and block SQL injection patterns targeting the Files module endpoints. 3. Conduct thorough input validation and sanitization on all user-supplied data interacting with the Files module, employing parameterized queries or prepared statements where possible. 4. Restrict network access to HumHub instances, limiting exposure to trusted internal networks or VPNs to reduce attack surface. 5. Monitor logs for unusual database query patterns or failed injection attempts to detect exploitation attempts early. 6. Perform a security audit of database permissions to ensure the application uses least privilege principles, minimizing potential damage if exploited. 7. Educate administrators and developers about secure coding practices to prevent similar vulnerabilities in custom modules or integrations.