CVE-2025-12293 identifies a SQL injection vulnerability in SourceCodester Point of Sales version 1.0, specifically within the /category.php endpoint. The vulnerability arises from insufficient sanitization of the 'Category' parameter, which is directly used in SQL queries. This allows remote attackers to craft malicious input that alters the intended SQL command, potentially extracting sensitive data, modifying database contents, or disrupting service availability. The vulnerability requires no authentication or user interaction, making it highly accessible to attackers. The CVSS 4.0 base score is 6.9 (medium), reflecting the network attack vector, low complexity, and no privileges required. The impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability is limited but non-negligible. Although no active exploitation has been reported, a public exploit exists, increasing the likelihood of future attacks. The lack of vendor patches at the time of disclosure necessitates immediate defensive actions. This vulnerability is particularly critical for organizations relying on SourceCodester POS for transaction processing, as compromise could lead to financial fraud, leakage of customer data, and operational interruptions.

For European organizations, exploitation of this SQL injection vulnerability could result in unauthorized access to sensitive customer and transaction data, leading to privacy violations and potential regulatory penalties under GDPR. Integrity of sales and inventory data could be compromised, causing financial discrepancies and loss of trust. Availability impacts might disrupt retail operations, affecting revenue and customer satisfaction. Retailers and service providers using SourceCodester POS in Europe, especially those with limited cybersecurity maturity, are at risk of targeted attacks. The presence of a public exploit increases the threat landscape, potentially attracting opportunistic attackers and cybercriminal groups. The medium severity score suggests moderate but tangible risks that could escalate if combined with other vulnerabilities or poor security practices. This threat underscores the importance of securing POS systems, which are frequent targets in the retail sector.

1. Immediately monitor and restrict access to the /category.php endpoint, applying strict input validation and sanitization on the 'Category' parameter to prevent injection. 2. Deploy a web application firewall (WAF) with updated signatures to detect and block SQL injection attempts targeting this vulnerability. 3. Conduct thorough code reviews and security testing on the SourceCodester POS application to identify and remediate similar injection flaws. 4. Isolate POS systems from broader corporate networks to limit lateral movement in case of compromise. 5. Implement database least privilege principles, ensuring the POS application uses accounts with minimal permissions. 6. Regularly back up POS databases and verify integrity to enable recovery from potential data corruption. 7. Engage with the vendor or community to obtain and apply patches or updates as soon as they become available. 8. Educate staff on recognizing signs of POS compromise and establish incident response procedures tailored to retail environments.