CVE-2025-11119 is a cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability identified in version 1.0 of the itsourcecode Hostel Management System. The flaw exists in the POST request handler component, specifically within the /justines/index.php file. An attacker can manipulate an unspecified argument in the POST request to inject malicious scripts, which are then executed in the context of the victim's browser. This vulnerability is remotely exploitable without requiring authentication, and user interaction is necessary to trigger the malicious payload (e.g., by clicking a crafted link or submitting a form). The vulnerability has a CVSS 4.0 base score of 5.3, indicating a medium severity level. The vector metrics show that the attack can be performed over the network (AV:N), requires no privileges (PR:N), no user authentication (AT:N), but does require user interaction (UI:P). The impact on confidentiality is none, integrity is low, and availability is none, meaning the primary risk is the execution of arbitrary scripts in the user's browser, potentially leading to session hijacking, defacement, or phishing attacks. Although no patches or fixes have been linked yet, the exploit code has been publicly released, increasing the risk of exploitation. Given the nature of the affected software—a hostel management system—this vulnerability could be leveraged to target users such as students, staff, or administrators interacting with the system's web interface.

For European organizations, particularly educational institutions, student housing providers, and hostel operators using the itsourcecode Hostel Management System, this vulnerability poses a tangible risk. Successful exploitation could lead to theft of session cookies, enabling attackers to impersonate legitimate users, access sensitive personal data, or perform unauthorized actions within the system. This could result in data breaches involving personal information of residents or staff, reputational damage, and potential regulatory penalties under GDPR for inadequate protection of personal data. Additionally, attackers could use the XSS flaw to deliver malware or phishing content to users, further amplifying the threat. The medium severity score reflects that while the vulnerability does not directly compromise system availability or confidentiality at a high level, the potential for indirect impacts through social engineering or session hijacking is significant. European organizations relying on this software should prioritize assessment and mitigation to prevent exploitation, especially given the public availability of exploit code.

Organizations should immediately conduct an inventory to identify any deployments of itsourcecode Hostel Management System version 1.0. In the absence of an official patch, the following specific mitigations are recommended: 1) Implement strict input validation and sanitization on all POST parameters, particularly those handled by /justines/index.php, to neutralize malicious scripts. 2) Employ Content Security Policy (CSP) headers to restrict the execution of unauthorized scripts in browsers. 3) Enable HttpOnly and Secure flags on session cookies to reduce the risk of cookie theft via XSS. 4) Educate users about the risks of clicking unknown or suspicious links related to the hostel management system. 5) Monitor web server logs for unusual POST requests targeting the vulnerable endpoint to detect potential exploitation attempts. 6) If feasible, isolate the hostel management system behind a web application firewall (WAF) configured to detect and block XSS payloads. 7) Engage with the vendor or community to obtain or develop patches and apply them promptly once available. These targeted actions go beyond generic advice by focusing on the specific vulnerable component and attack vectors.