phpMyFAQ is an open-source FAQ web application widely used for managing frequently asked questions and related content. CVE-2025-62519 identifies an SQL injection vulnerability classified under CWE-89, which arises from improper neutralization of special elements in SQL commands within the main configuration update functionality. This flaw affects phpMyFAQ versions earlier than 4.0.14 and requires an authenticated user possessing 'Configuration Edit' permissions to exploit. By injecting malicious SQL code, an attacker can execute arbitrary SQL commands on the backend database. This can lead to complete compromise of the database, including unauthorized reading, modification, or deletion of all stored data. Furthermore, depending on the database configuration and privileges, the attacker might escalate the attack to achieve remote code execution on the hosting server. The vulnerability has a CVSS 3.1 base score of 7.2, indicating high severity, with attack vector as network, low attack complexity, high privileges required, no user interaction, and impacts on confidentiality, integrity, and availability. Although no active exploits have been reported, the risk remains significant due to the potential impact and ease of exploitation by privileged users. The issue was addressed and patched in phpMyFAQ version 4.0.14, making timely updates critical for affected deployments.

For European organizations, this vulnerability poses a significant risk to the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of data managed via phpMyFAQ. Since phpMyFAQ is often used in customer support, knowledge management, and internal documentation, exploitation could lead to unauthorized disclosure of sensitive information, data tampering, or service disruption. The potential for remote code execution further elevates the threat, potentially allowing attackers to pivot into broader network compromise. Organizations in sectors with strict data protection regulations such as GDPR (e.g., finance, healthcare, government) face heightened compliance risks and potential legal consequences if data breaches occur. Additionally, the requirement for privileged access limits the attack surface but also means insider threats or compromised administrative accounts could be leveraged. The absence of known exploits in the wild provides a window for proactive mitigation, but the high severity score underscores the urgency of patching. Failure to address this vulnerability could result in reputational damage, operational downtime, and costly incident response efforts.

1. Immediately upgrade all phpMyFAQ installations to version 4.0.14 or later to apply the official patch addressing this vulnerability. 2. Review and restrict 'Configuration Edit' permissions to the minimum necessary number of trusted administrators to reduce the risk of insider threats or compromised accounts. 3. Implement strong authentication mechanisms (e.g., multi-factor authentication) for all privileged users to mitigate unauthorized access. 4. Conduct regular audits of user permissions and monitor configuration changes within phpMyFAQ for suspicious activity. 5. Employ web application firewalls (WAFs) with custom rules to detect and block SQL injection attempts targeting phpMyFAQ endpoints. 6. Ensure database user accounts used by phpMyFAQ have the least privileges necessary, limiting the impact of any SQL injection exploitation. 7. Maintain regular backups of phpMyFAQ databases and configurations to enable rapid recovery in case of compromise. 8. Monitor security advisories and threat intelligence feeds for any emerging exploits related to this vulnerability to respond promptly.