CVE-2024-44640 identifies a critical SQL Injection vulnerability in the PHPGurukul Student Record System version 3.20, specifically within the add-course.php file. The vulnerability arises from improper sanitization of user-supplied input in the parameters course-short, course-full, and cdate, which are used to add course information. An attacker can exploit this by injecting crafted SQL statements through these parameters, potentially manipulating the backend database. This could lead to unauthorized data retrieval, modification, or deletion, compromising the confidentiality and integrity of student records and related academic data. The vulnerability does not require authentication, increasing the risk of exploitation by remote attackers. No CVSS score has been assigned yet, and no patches or known exploits have been reported at the time of publication. However, the nature of SQL Injection vulnerabilities typically allows attackers to bypass application logic and access sensitive information or disrupt services. The lack of CWE classification and patch links suggests this is a newly disclosed issue requiring immediate attention. The vulnerability affects educational institutions using this specific software version, which may be more prevalent in regions relying on open-source educational management systems. The absence of known exploits provides a window for mitigation before active attacks emerge.

For European organizations, particularly educational institutions using PHPGurukul Student Record System 3.20, this vulnerability poses a significant risk to the confidentiality and integrity of student and academic data. Exploitation could lead to unauthorized disclosure of sensitive personal information, alteration of course records, or disruption of academic operations. This could result in regulatory non-compliance under GDPR due to data breaches, reputational damage, and operational downtime. The vulnerability's ability to be exploited without authentication increases the threat level, as attackers can remotely target vulnerable systems. Institutions with limited cybersecurity resources or outdated software maintenance practices are especially vulnerable. The impact extends beyond data loss to potential manipulation of academic records, which could undermine trust in educational credentials and institutional integrity. Additionally, if attackers leverage this vulnerability to gain deeper access, it could serve as a foothold for further network compromise. Overall, the threat could disrupt educational services and expose personal data across affected European entities.

Immediate mitigation should focus on applying input validation and sanitization to all user-supplied data, especially the course-short, course-full, and cdate parameters in add-course.php. Implementing parameterized queries or prepared statements will prevent SQL Injection by separating code from data. Organizations should conduct a thorough code review of the PHPGurukul Student Record System to identify similar vulnerabilities. Network-level protections such as web application firewalls (WAFs) can be configured to detect and block SQL Injection attempts. Monitoring database logs for unusual queries and access patterns can help detect exploitation attempts early. Since no official patch is available, organizations should consider isolating or restricting access to the vulnerable system until a fix is released. Regular backups of the database should be maintained to enable recovery in case of data tampering. Educating developers and administrators on secure coding practices and timely patch management is crucial to prevent recurrence. Finally, organizations should track updates from PHPGurukul or security advisories for patches and apply them promptly.