CVE-2025-11667 identifies a SQL injection vulnerability in the code-projects Automated Voting System version 1.0, specifically in the /admin/add_candidate_modal.php file. The vulnerability arises from insufficient input validation on the 'firstname' parameter, which is used in SQL queries without proper sanitization or parameterization. This allows an attacker to inject malicious SQL code remotely, potentially manipulating the backend database. The attack vector is network-based (AV:N), requires low attack complexity (AC:L), and does not require user interaction (UI:N). However, it requires low privileges (PR:L), indicating that some authenticated access or limited permissions are necessary to exploit the flaw. The vulnerability impacts confidentiality, integrity, and availability of the voting system's data, as attackers could extract sensitive voter or candidate information, alter candidate records, or disrupt voting operations. Although no exploits have been observed in the wild, public proof-of-concept code exists, increasing the risk of exploitation. The lack of a patch at the time of disclosure means organizations must implement interim mitigations. This vulnerability is particularly critical in the context of automated voting systems, where data integrity and trust are paramount. The CVSS 4.0 score of 5.3 reflects a medium severity, balancing the ease of exploitation with the requirement for some privilege and the limited scope of affected versions.

For European organizations, especially those involved in electoral processes or political campaigning, this vulnerability poses a significant risk to the integrity and confidentiality of voting data. Exploitation could lead to unauthorized disclosure of candidate or voter information, manipulation of candidate data, or disruption of voting operations, undermining public trust in democratic processes. The availability of proof-of-concept exploits increases the likelihood of targeted attacks. Organizations using the affected Automated Voting System version 1.0 may face reputational damage, legal consequences under data protection regulations such as GDPR, and operational disruptions during election periods. The impact extends beyond individual organizations to national election infrastructure, potentially affecting election outcomes or causing delays. Given the critical nature of voting systems, even a medium-severity vulnerability warrants urgent attention to prevent exploitation.

1. Immediately restrict access to the /admin/add_candidate_modal.php interface to trusted administrators only, using network segmentation and strong authentication mechanisms such as multi-factor authentication. 2. Implement input validation and sanitization on all user-supplied parameters, especially 'firstname', using allowlists and rejecting unexpected characters. 3. Refactor the application code to use parameterized queries or prepared statements to prevent SQL injection. 4. Monitor database logs and application logs for suspicious queries or anomalies indicative of injection attempts. 5. Conduct a thorough security audit of the entire voting system to identify and remediate similar injection flaws. 6. If possible, upgrade to a patched version once available or apply vendor-provided patches promptly. 7. Educate administrators on secure usage practices and the risks of SQL injection. 8. Consider deploying Web Application Firewalls (WAFs) with rules tuned to detect and block SQL injection payloads targeting the affected endpoints. 9. Regularly back up voting system data and test restoration procedures to minimize impact in case of data corruption or loss.