CVE-2025-10424 is a vulnerability identified in version 1.0 of the 1000projects Online Student Project Report Submission and Evaluation System. The flaw exists in the /admin/controller/faculty_controller.php file, specifically related to the handling of the 'new_image' argument. This vulnerability allows an attacker to perform an unrestricted file upload remotely without requiring authentication or user interaction. The unrestricted upload means that an attacker can upload arbitrary files, potentially including malicious scripts or executables, to the server hosting the application. This can lead to remote code execution, server compromise, data theft, or further lateral movement within the network. The CVSS 4.0 base score is 6.9, indicating a medium severity level, with an attack vector of network (remote), low attack complexity, no privileges or user interaction required, and limited impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability. Although no known exploits are currently observed in the wild, the exploit has been publicly disclosed, increasing the risk of exploitation. The vulnerability affects a niche educational software product used for student project report submissions and evaluations, which may be deployed in academic institutions or educational organizations. The lack of patch links suggests that a fix may not yet be available, emphasizing the need for immediate mitigation steps.

For European organizations, particularly educational institutions using the 1000projects system, this vulnerability poses a significant risk. Successful exploitation could allow attackers to upload malicious payloads, leading to unauthorized access to sensitive student data, academic records, and internal evaluation processes. This could result in data breaches violating GDPR regulations, reputational damage, and operational disruptions. Additionally, attackers could leverage the compromised system as a foothold to pivot into broader institutional networks, potentially affecting research data or administrative systems. The medium severity rating reflects that while the impact is serious, the scope is limited to organizations using this specific software. However, given the critical nature of educational data and the regulatory environment in Europe, even medium-severity vulnerabilities warrant prompt attention. The fact that exploitation requires no authentication or user interaction increases the threat level, as attackers can attempt exploitation remotely without needing insider access.

1. Immediate isolation or removal of the affected 1000projects Online Student Project Report Submission and Evaluation System instances until a patch or update is available. 2. Implement strict network segmentation and firewall rules to restrict external access to the administration interface, especially the /admin/controller/faculty_controller.php endpoint. 3. Employ web application firewalls (WAF) with custom rules to detect and block suspicious file upload attempts targeting the 'new_image' parameter. 4. Conduct manual code review or penetration testing to identify and block unrestricted file upload vectors, potentially adding server-side validation to restrict file types, sizes, and content. 5. Monitor logs for unusual upload activity or unexpected file creations in the application directories. 6. If feasible, replace or upgrade to a more secure project submission system with active vendor support and regular security updates. 7. Educate administrative staff about the risks and signs of compromise related to this vulnerability. 8. Prepare incident response plans to quickly contain and remediate any exploitation attempts.