CVE-2025-11659 is a vulnerability identified in the ProjectsAndPrograms School Management System, specifically affecting the /assets/uploadNotes.php file. The flaw allows an attacker to perform unrestricted file uploads by manipulating the 'File' argument, enabling remote code execution or other malicious activities without requiring authentication or user interaction. The vulnerability is present in versions up to commit 6b6fae5426044f89c08d0dd101c7fa71f9042a59, with no explicit patch version provided due to the product's rolling release model. The CVSS 4.0 score of 6.9 reflects a medium severity, considering the network attack vector, low complexity, and no required privileges or user interaction. The impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability is limited but non-negligible, as attackers could upload malicious scripts or files leading to data leakage, defacement, or denial of service. Although no active exploitation has been observed, published exploit code increases the likelihood of future attacks. The vulnerability highlights insufficient input validation and lack of proper file type restrictions in the upload functionality, a common security weakness in web applications. Organizations using this system should urgently review their file upload handling and apply mitigations to prevent exploitation.

For European organizations, particularly educational institutions using the ProjectsAndPrograms School Management System, this vulnerability poses a risk of unauthorized access and potential system compromise. Attackers could upload malicious files such as web shells or malware, leading to data breaches involving sensitive student and staff information, disruption of educational services, and reputational damage. The medium severity indicates that while the impact is not catastrophic, it can still cause significant operational and security issues. Given the remote, unauthenticated nature of the exploit, attackers can target exposed systems over the internet without needing credentials, increasing the attack surface. The rolling release nature of the software may complicate patch management, potentially delaying fixes. Additionally, the lack of known active exploitation currently provides a window for proactive defense, but published exploits increase the urgency. European data protection regulations like GDPR heighten the consequences of data breaches resulting from such vulnerabilities, potentially leading to fines and legal repercussions.

1. Implement strict server-side validation of uploaded files, including checking MIME types, file extensions, and file content signatures to ensure only allowed file types (e.g., PDFs, images) are accepted. 2. Enforce file size limits and scan uploads with antivirus or malware detection tools before processing. 3. Restrict upload directories to non-executable locations and disable execution permissions on uploaded files to prevent execution of malicious scripts. 4. Apply web application firewalls (WAF) with rules targeting file upload abuse patterns to detect and block suspicious requests. 5. Monitor logs for unusual upload activity or repeated attempts to upload disallowed file types. 6. Coordinate with the software vendor or community to obtain and apply patches or updates as soon as they become available. 7. If patching is delayed, consider temporary mitigations such as disabling the uploadNotes.php functionality or restricting access to it via network controls or authentication. 8. Educate system administrators and users about the risks of file upload vulnerabilities and the importance of timely updates and monitoring.