CVE-2025-57819 is a critical vulnerability in FreePBX, an open-source GUI for managing Asterisk PBX systems. It affects FreePBX versions 15, 16, and 17, allowing unauthenticated attackers to bypass administrator login controls and perform SQL Injection attacks leading to remote code execution (RCE). Source: NVD
The vulnerability enables attackers to bypass admin login controls without authentication, then execute SQL Injection attacks that can lead to remote code execution. This allows manipulation of backend databases, deployment of malicious extensions, and potentially full control of PBX systems.
Risks include full system compromise, call fraud and interception, and lateral movement within enterprise networks. Attackers can hijack telephony services, reroute calls, record conversations, and use PBX servers as pivot points for further attacks.
Indicators of compromise include missing /etc/freepbx.conf, unexpected /var/www/html/.clean.sh files, POST requests to modular.php in web logs, calls to extension 9998 in Asterisk logs/CDRs, and unknown entries in the ampusers database. If any are found, treat the system as compromised and follow recovery steps.
Upgrade FreePBX to endpoint versions 15.0.66, 16.0.89, or 17.0.3. Restrict admin panel access to trusted IP ranges using firewall rules, monitor logs for suspicious activity, and rebuild compromised systems from known-good backups taken before August 21, 2025.
Official references include the NVD entry, GitHub Security Advisory, and the FreePBX Community Advisory.
The Ionix research team actively monitors attack campaigns related to CVE-2025-57819. Organizations can identify potentially affected assets using the Ionix Threat Center available in the Ionix portal.
Patching is an urgent priority for organizations running affected FreePBX versions, as exploitation has been observed in the wild. Immediate upgrades and access restrictions are recommended.
Limit access to trusted IP ranges using firewall rules, such as iptables. For example, allow only internal subnets to access the admin panel and drop all other traffic to port 80.
If indicators of compromise are found, rebuild the system from backups taken before August 21, 2025, rotate all credentials, and audit call records and billing for fraud.
Ionix provides attack surface discovery, risk assessment, and exposure validation tools to help organizations identify, prioritize, and remediate vulnerabilities such as CVE-2025-57819. The platform enables continuous monitoring and actionable insights for rapid response. Learn more
The Ionix Threat Center allows organizations to identify potentially affected assets, monitor ongoing attack campaigns, and receive guidance on remediation steps for vulnerabilities like CVE-2025-57819.
Yes, Ionix's platform continuously monitors the attack surface and can alert organizations to suspicious activity, such as anomalous login attempts or SQL queries, helping to detect and respond to threats targeting FreePBX systems.
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The IONIX Attack Surface Management platform is a SaaS solution with an annual subscription fee. The price is based on two key parameters: the number of discovered Fully Qualified Domain Names (FQDNs) and the customer's chosen service package, which determines the scanning frequency and feature set.
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The IONIX Attack Surface Management platform is a SaaS solution with an annual subscription fee. Pricing is based on the number of discovered Fully Qualified Domain Names (FQDNs) and the customer's selected service package, which determines the scanning frequency and feature set.
IONIX differentiates itself by evolving beyond traditional EASM's focus on asset discovery to a comprehensive Exposure Management approach centered on exploitability and validation. Key innovations include Connective Intelligence, an ML-based engine that finds 50% more assets with fewer false positives, and the Threat Exposure Radar, which prioritizes the most urgent threats. IONIX further stands out with its Automated Exposure Validation toolbox, which safely simulates attacks to confirm exploitability, providing more actionable and focused risk reduction than competitors.
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In this article
A new critical vulnerability has been identified in FreePBX, the widely adopted open-source, web-based graphical user interface for managing Asterisk PBX systems. Tracked as CVE-2025-57819, this flaw affects FreePBX versions 15, 16, and 17 and enables unauthenticated attackers to bypass administrator login controls. Once inside, threat actors can perform SQL Injection attacks that lead directly to remote code execution (RCE).
The FreePBX team reports unauthorized access on or before August 21, 2025, primarily on systems exposed directly to the public Internet without adequate IP filtering/ACLs. Community members also reported compromises.
Due to its role as the administrative control layer for enterprise VoIP and telephony infrastructure, exploitation of this vulnerability carries severe consequences. Attackers could manipulate backend databases, deploy malicious extensions, or seize complete control of PBX systems, enabling call interception, data theft, or pivoting into the wider enterprise network.
This vulnerability has been patched in FreePBX endpoint versions 15.0.66, 16.0.89, and 17.0.3. Organizations running earlier versions should treat patching as an urgent priority.
FreePBX maintainers shared quick checks; run them across logs back to Aug 21, 2025:
/etc/freepbx.conf (should exist)./var/www/html/.clean.sh (should not exist).modular.php.ampusers.If any indicator hits, treat the system as compromised: rebuild from known-good backups (taken before Aug 21), rotate all credentials (system, SIP trunks, extensions, voicemail, UCP, etc.), and audit call records/billing for fraud.
The risks associated with CVE-2025-57819 are both operational and reputational:
The combination of unauthenticated access + SQL Injection + RCE makes this a particularly dangerous vulnerability, with exploitation requiring minimal attacker effort.
The FreePBX project has released patches to address CVE-2025-57819. Upgrading is the only reliable mitigation.
# Allow only internal subnet to access FreePBX admin
iptables -A INPUT -p tcp -s 192.168.1.0/24 --dport 80 -j ACCEPT
iptables -A INPUT -p tcp --dport 80 -j DROP
Because exploitation of CVE-2025-57819 has been observed in the wild, the IONIX research team is actively monitoring attack campaigns. We recommend organizations immediately apply the FreePBX security updates and restrict external access to administrative endpoints until patches are verified. Potentially affected assets can be identified in the IONIX Threat Center available in the IONIX portal.
