CVE-2025-11516 identifies a SQL injection vulnerability in the code-projects Online Complaint Site version 1.0, specifically within the /cms/users/complaint-details.php file. The vulnerability arises from improper sanitization of the 'cid' parameter, which is used in SQL queries without adequate validation or parameterization. This flaw allows remote attackers to inject malicious SQL code, potentially enabling unauthorized access to or modification of the backend database. The attack vector requires no authentication or user interaction, increasing the risk of exploitation. The CVSS 4.0 base score is 5.3 (medium), reflecting the vulnerability's moderate impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability, with low complexity and no privileges required. Although no active exploitation in the wild has been reported, the public availability of exploit code raises the risk of imminent attacks. The vulnerability affects only version 1.0 of the product, which is used for managing online complaints, likely storing sensitive user and complaint data. The lack of official patches or mitigation guidance increases exposure. This vulnerability exemplifies common risks in web applications that fail to properly sanitize user inputs, emphasizing the need for secure coding practices such as prepared statements and input validation.

For European organizations using the code-projects Online Complaint Site 1.0, this vulnerability poses a significant risk to the confidentiality and integrity of complaint data, which may include personally identifiable information (PII) and sensitive organizational information. Exploitation could lead to unauthorized data disclosure, data tampering, or even deletion, undermining trust in complaint handling processes and potentially violating data protection regulations such as GDPR. The availability impact is limited but possible if attackers manipulate database queries to disrupt service. Public sector entities and private companies relying on this software for customer or citizen complaint management are particularly vulnerable. The medium severity score suggests moderate risk, but the ease of exploitation and public exploit availability increase urgency. Additionally, reputational damage and regulatory penalties could result from data breaches. The vulnerability could be exploited remotely without authentication, broadening the attack surface and increasing the likelihood of attacks targeting European organizations.

To mitigate CVE-2025-11516, organizations should immediately implement input validation and sanitization on the 'cid' parameter to prevent malicious SQL code injection. Employ parameterized queries or prepared statements in the complaint-details.php file to ensure user inputs are safely handled. Restrict database user permissions to the minimum necessary to limit the impact of potential exploitation. Conduct a thorough code review of the entire application to identify and remediate similar injection flaws. If possible, upgrade to a patched version once available or apply vendor-provided fixes. In the interim, consider deploying Web Application Firewalls (WAFs) with rules targeting SQL injection patterns specific to this vulnerability. Monitor logs for unusual database query patterns or access attempts to the vulnerable endpoint. Educate developers on secure coding practices to prevent future injection vulnerabilities. Finally, ensure regular backups of complaint data to enable recovery in case of data corruption or loss.