CVE-2025-11530 identifies a SQL injection vulnerability in the code-projects Online Complaint Site version 1.0, specifically within the /cms/admin/state.php file. The vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation or sanitization of the 'state' parameter, which is manipulated to inject arbitrary SQL commands. This flaw allows remote attackers to execute unauthorized SQL queries against the backend database without requiring authentication or user interaction. The attack vector is network-based (AV:N), with low attack complexity (AC:L), no privileges required (PR:L indicates low privileges but not none, so some minimal privileges might be needed), and no user interaction (UI:N). The vulnerability impacts confidentiality, integrity, and availability, though with limited scope and impact (VC:L, VI:L, VA:L). The CVSS 4.0 score of 5.3 reflects a medium severity level. Although no active exploitation in the wild has been reported, the availability of a public exploit increases the risk of exploitation. The vulnerability could allow attackers to extract sensitive data, modify or delete records, or disrupt service availability. The lack of a patch link suggests that a fix may not yet be available, emphasizing the need for immediate mitigation steps. This vulnerability is particularly concerning for organizations relying on this software for complaint management, as it could expose sensitive customer or administrative data. The vulnerability's presence in an administrative script suggests that attackers might need some level of access or that the endpoint is exposed inappropriately. Overall, this vulnerability represents a significant risk if left unaddressed.

For European organizations, the impact of CVE-2025-11530 can be substantial, especially for public sector entities, consumer service providers, or any organization using the code-projects Online Complaint Site for complaint management. Successful exploitation could lead to unauthorized disclosure of sensitive complaint data, administrative credentials, or other confidential information, violating GDPR and other data protection regulations. Integrity of complaint records could be compromised, leading to fraudulent alterations or deletion of data, undermining trust and operational reliability. Availability of the complaint management system could be disrupted, affecting customer service and regulatory compliance. The medium severity score indicates moderate but tangible risk, with potential for escalation if combined with other vulnerabilities or insider threats. The availability of a public exploit increases the likelihood of opportunistic attacks, potentially targeting organizations with limited security monitoring or patch management. Given the remote exploitability and no user interaction required, attackers can automate exploitation attempts, increasing the threat surface. European organizations must consider the regulatory and reputational consequences of a breach involving complaint data, which often contains personally identifiable information (PII).

1. Immediate input validation and sanitization: Implement strict server-side validation of the 'state' parameter to reject or properly encode malicious input. 2. Use parameterized queries or prepared statements in the database access code to prevent SQL injection. 3. Restrict access to the /cms/admin/state.php endpoint by IP whitelisting or VPN access to limit exposure. 4. Implement web application firewall (WAF) rules to detect and block SQL injection patterns targeting this endpoint. 5. Monitor logs and alerts for unusual database queries or repeated access attempts to the vulnerable parameter. 6. If possible, disable or isolate the vulnerable module until a vendor patch or update is available. 7. Conduct a thorough security review of the entire application to identify and remediate similar injection flaws. 8. Educate administrators and developers about secure coding practices to prevent future vulnerabilities. 9. Regularly update and patch all components of the web application stack. 10. Prepare an incident response plan to quickly address any exploitation attempts or breaches.