CVE-2025-11736 identifies a SQL injection vulnerability in the itsourcecode Online Examination System version 1.0, specifically in the /index.php file's handling of the Username parameter. This vulnerability arises because the application fails to properly sanitize or parameterize user input, allowing an attacker to inject arbitrary SQL commands remotely without requiring authentication or user interaction. The attack vector is network-based, with low complexity, meaning an attacker can exploit it with minimal effort. Successful exploitation can lead to unauthorized access to sensitive data stored in the backend database, including potentially exam results, user credentials, or other confidential information. Additionally, attackers could alter data integrity by modifying or deleting records, or impact availability by executing destructive queries. The CVSS 4.0 score of 6.9 reflects a medium severity, considering the partial impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability, and the lack of required privileges or user interaction. No official patches or fixes have been published yet, and while no known exploits are reported in the wild, the public disclosure increases the risk of exploitation. The vulnerability affects only version 1.0 of the product, which may limit exposure depending on the deployment footprint. However, given the critical nature of examination systems in educational environments, exploitation could have significant operational and reputational consequences.

For European organizations, particularly educational institutions and certification bodies using the itsourcecode Online Examination System 1.0, this vulnerability poses a significant risk. Exploitation could lead to unauthorized disclosure of sensitive student data, exam content, and results, undermining privacy and data protection obligations under GDPR. Integrity of examination data could be compromised, leading to fraudulent results or disruption of academic processes. Availability impacts could disrupt examination schedules, causing operational delays. The reputational damage from a breach could be severe, affecting trust in educational institutions. Additionally, regulatory penalties could arise from failure to protect personal data. The remote and unauthenticated nature of the exploit increases the likelihood of attacks, especially if threat actors target education sectors. Organizations relying on this software must assess their exposure and implement mitigations swiftly to avoid data breaches and operational disruptions.

Immediate mitigation steps include implementing strict input validation and sanitization on the Username parameter within /index.php, preferably by adopting parameterized queries or prepared statements to prevent SQL injection. If source code modification is not immediately feasible, deploying a Web Application Firewall (WAF) with rules targeting SQL injection patterns can provide temporary protection. Organizations should monitor database logs for suspicious queries and unusual activity indicative of exploitation attempts. Restricting database user permissions to the minimum necessary can limit the impact of a successful injection. Regular backups of examination data should be maintained to enable recovery from data tampering or loss. It is critical to engage with the vendor for official patches or updates and apply them promptly once available. Additionally, conducting security audits and penetration testing on the examination system can help identify other potential vulnerabilities. Awareness training for IT staff on this vulnerability and its risks will improve incident response readiness.