CVE-2024-44635 identifies a Cross Site Scripting (XSS) vulnerability in the PHPGurukul Student Record System version 3.20. The vulnerability exists in the admin-profile.php page, where the parameters adminname and aemailid do not properly sanitize user input, allowing injection of malicious JavaScript code. When an authenticated administrator accesses this page with crafted parameters, the injected script executes in their browser context. This can lead to theft of session cookies, enabling attackers to impersonate the administrator, or perform unauthorized actions such as modifying student records or changing system configurations. Although no public exploits are currently known, the vulnerability is critical because it targets administrative functions in an educational record system, which typically contains sensitive personal data. The lack of a CVSS score limits precise quantification, but the vulnerability’s characteristics suggest a high severity rating. The attack vector requires the attacker to lure an administrator to a maliciously crafted URL or exploit a stored XSS scenario if the parameters are reflected or stored. The vulnerability highlights insufficient input validation and output encoding in the affected parameters. No official patches or mitigations are currently linked, emphasizing the need for immediate attention by system administrators. This vulnerability underscores the importance of secure coding practices in educational software, which is increasingly targeted by threat actors due to the valuable data it holds.

For European organizations, particularly educational institutions using PHPGurukul Student Record System or similar platforms, this vulnerability poses a significant risk to the confidentiality and integrity of student and administrative data. Successful exploitation could lead to unauthorized access to sensitive personal information, manipulation of student records, and potential disruption of administrative operations. The compromise of administrator accounts could facilitate further lateral movement within the network, increasing the risk of broader data breaches. Given the increasing reliance on digital education management systems across Europe, the impact extends beyond individual institutions to potentially affect national education data integrity and privacy compliance under GDPR. The vulnerability could also damage institutional reputation and trust if exploited. Although no known exploits exist yet, the ease of exploitation via crafted URLs and the high privileges of targeted accounts amplify the threat. The lack of immediate patches means organizations must proactively implement mitigations to reduce exposure.

Organizations should immediately audit their use of PHPGurukul Student Record System and identify instances of version 3.20 or similar vulnerable versions. Until official patches are released, administrators should implement strict input validation and output encoding on the adminname and aemailid parameters to neutralize malicious scripts. Web application firewalls (WAFs) can be configured to detect and block suspicious payloads targeting these parameters. Educate administrators to avoid clicking on untrusted links and consider implementing multi-factor authentication to reduce the impact of credential theft. Regularly monitor logs for unusual access patterns or parameter tampering attempts. If possible, isolate the administrative interface behind VPNs or IP whitelisting to limit exposure. Engage with the software vendor or community to obtain or develop patches and apply them promptly once available. Conduct security testing, including penetration tests focusing on XSS vulnerabilities, to identify and remediate similar issues proactively. Finally, ensure compliance with data protection regulations by maintaining robust incident response plans and data breach notification procedures.