Detect Adobe Commerce / Magento Improper Input Validation (CVE-2025-54236) in IBM QRadar
Detects exploitation of CVE-2025-54236, an improper input validation vulnerability in Adobe Commerce and Magento. This KEV-listed vulnerability allows attackers to submit maliciously crafted input to Commerce/Magento endpoints, potentially leading to remote code execution, unauthorized data access, or store compromise. Detection focuses on anomalous HTTP request patterns to Magento/Commerce endpoints, unexpected PHP execution, and indicators of post-exploitation activity.
MITRE ATT&CK
- Tactic
- Initial Access Execution Persistence Impact
QRadar Detection Query
SELECT
DATEFORMAT(starttime, 'YYYY-MM-dd HH:mm:ss') AS event_time,
sourceip,
destinationip,
URL,
Method,
"HTTP Response Code" AS response_code,
"Bytes Sent" AS bytes_sent,
COUNT(*) AS request_count
FROM events
WHERE
LOGSOURCETYPENAME(devicetype) IN ('Microsoft IIS', 'Apache HTTP Server', 'NGINX', 'F5 BIG-IP')
AND (
URL ILIKE '%/rest/%'
OR URL ILIKE '%/graphql%'
OR URL ILIKE '%/index.php/rest/%'
OR URL ILIKE '%/admin/index.php%'
OR URL ILIKE '%/downloader/%'
)
AND Method IN ('POST', 'PUT', 'PATCH')
AND LAST 24 HOURS
GROUP BY
DATEFORMAT(starttime, 'YYYY-MM-dd HH:mm'),
sourceip,
destinationip,
URL,
Method,
"HTTP Response Code",
"Bytes Sent"
HAVING
COUNT(*) > 5
OR "Bytes Sent" > 50000
ORDER BY request_count DESCQRadar AQL query identifying unusual POST/PUT/PATCH activity to Adobe Commerce and Magento endpoints, filtering for high-frequency or large-payload requests that may indicate CVE-2025-54236 exploitation.
Data Sources
Required Tables
False Positives & Tuning
- Bulk product catalog imports via REST API from ERP integrations
- High-volume order processing from B2B customers using API keys
- Legitimate third-party Magento extensions making frequent API calls
- Load testing performed against Commerce instances during off-hours maintenance
Other platforms for CVE-2025-54236
Testing Methodology
Validate this detection against 3 adversary techniques from Atomic Red Team. Each test below lists the behaviour to exercise and the telemetry you should expect to see. Executable commands and cleanup steps are available with Pro.
- Test 1Magento REST API Malformed Input Fuzzing
Expected signal: Web server access logs should show POST requests to /rest/V1/products and /rest/V1/customers with large Content-Length values and HTTP 400/500 response codes
- Test 2PHP Web Shell Upload via Compromised Magento Admin
Expected signal: IIS/Apache logs showing POST to admin CMS endpoint; filesystem monitoring alerts on new .php file creation in pub/media/; process execution logs if PHP is evaluated
- Test 3Rapid Sequential API Endpoint Reconnaissance
Expected signal: Web server access logs showing rapid sequential POST requests to multiple /rest/V1/ endpoints from a single source IP within a short timeframe
Unlock Pro Content
Get the full detection package for CVE-2025-54236 including response playbook, investigation guide, and atomic red team tests.