CVE-2023-4776 is a high-severity SQL Injection vulnerability (CWE-89) found in the School Management System WordPress plugin versions prior to 2.2.5. The vulnerability arises because the plugin uses the WordPress esc_sql() function improperly on a field that is not enclosed in quotes and fails to prepare the SQL query properly. This improper sanitization allows an attacker with relatively low privileges, such as a user with a Teacher role, to inject malicious SQL code into database queries. Because esc_sql() is designed to escape SQL input but does not handle unquoted fields correctly, the injected payload can manipulate the SQL query structure, potentially leading to unauthorized data access, data modification, or even complete compromise of the underlying database. The vulnerability does not require user interaction and can be exploited remotely over the network (AV:N), with low attack complexity (AC:L). The attacker must have low privileges (PR:L), but no UI interaction is needed (UI:N). The scope is unchanged (S:U), meaning the impact is confined to the vulnerable component. The CVSS v3.1 base score is 8.8, reflecting high impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability. No known exploits are currently reported in the wild, but the nature of the vulnerability and the ease of exploitation make it a significant risk. The plugin is used in WordPress environments managing school data, which often includes sensitive personal information about students, staff, and academic records.

For European organizations, particularly educational institutions using WordPress with the School Management System plugin, this vulnerability poses a serious risk. Exploitation could lead to unauthorized disclosure of sensitive student and staff data, including personal identification information, grades, and attendance records, violating GDPR and other data protection regulations. Integrity of academic records could be compromised, undermining trust and operational continuity. Availability of the system could also be affected if attackers execute destructive SQL commands or cause database corruption. Given that the vulnerability can be exploited by users with low privileges such as Teachers, insider threats or compromised low-level accounts could be leveraged to escalate attacks. This could result in reputational damage, regulatory fines, and operational disruptions. The impact is amplified in countries with strict data privacy laws and high reliance on digital school management systems.

Organizations should immediately verify if they use the School Management System WordPress plugin and ensure it is updated to version 2.2.5 or later where the vulnerability is fixed. If an update is not yet available, temporarily restrict or audit user roles with low privileges, especially Teachers, to limit their ability to input data that could be exploited. Implement Web Application Firewalls (WAF) with custom rules to detect and block SQL injection patterns targeting the plugin’s endpoints. Conduct thorough code reviews and penetration testing focused on SQL injection vectors in the plugin. Employ database-level protections such as least privilege for database users and enable query logging to detect suspicious activity. Regularly back up databases to enable recovery in case of data corruption. Additionally, monitor logs for unusual queries or access patterns. Educate staff on the risks of SQL injection and the importance of secure input handling. Finally, consider isolating the school management system in a segmented network zone to reduce lateral movement risks.