The vulnerability identified as CVE-2025-13061 affects the itsourcecode Online Voting System version 1.0, specifically the /index.php?page=manage_voting endpoint. This vulnerability allows an attacker to perform unrestricted file uploads remotely without requiring user interaction or elevated privileges beyond low-level permissions. The core issue is the lack of proper validation and restrictions on the uploaded files, which can lead to arbitrary file uploads including potentially malicious scripts or executables. Exploiting this vulnerability could allow attackers to execute arbitrary code on the server, manipulate voting data, disrupt voting services, or gain persistent access to the system. The CVSS 4.0 vector indicates network attack vector (AV:N), low attack complexity (AC:L), no privileges required (PR:L), no user interaction (UI:N), and partial impacts on confidentiality, integrity, and availability (VC:L, VI:L, VA:L). Although no known exploits are currently active in the wild, the public availability of exploit code increases the risk of exploitation. The vulnerability is particularly concerning for online voting systems, where integrity and availability are critical for democratic processes. The absence of patches at the time of publication necessitates immediate mitigation efforts by affected organizations. The vulnerability does not involve complex chaining or advanced authentication bypass, making it accessible to a wide range of attackers.

For European organizations, especially those involved in electoral processes or civic engagement platforms, this vulnerability poses significant risks. Exploitation could lead to unauthorized manipulation of voting data, undermining election integrity and public trust. Additionally, attackers could deploy web shells or malware through uploaded files, leading to broader network compromise, data breaches, or denial of service conditions. The availability of exploit code increases the likelihood of opportunistic attacks. Disruption of online voting systems could delay election results or force costly manual interventions. Beyond elections, organizations using this system for decision-making or polling could face reputational damage and legal consequences under European data protection regulations such as GDPR if voter data confidentiality is compromised. The medium severity rating reflects that while the vulnerability is exploitable remotely and easily, the impact on confidentiality and integrity is partial rather than total, and no privilege escalation is required. However, the critical nature of voting systems amplifies the practical impact beyond the CVSS score.

1. Immediate application of vendor patches once available is the most effective mitigation. 2. Until patches are released, restrict access to the /index.php?page=manage_voting endpoint using network-level controls such as IP whitelisting or VPN access. 3. Implement strict server-side validation of uploaded files, including file type, size, and content scanning to prevent malicious uploads. 4. Employ web application firewalls (WAFs) with custom rules to detect and block suspicious upload attempts targeting this endpoint. 5. Isolate the upload directory with minimal permissions and disable execution rights to prevent uploaded files from being executed. 6. Monitor logs for unusual upload activity or access patterns indicative of exploitation attempts. 7. Conduct regular security audits and penetration testing focused on file upload functionalities. 8. Educate administrators and users about the risks and signs of exploitation. 9. Prepare incident response plans specifically addressing potential compromise of voting systems. 10. Consider alternative secure voting platforms if mitigation is not feasible in the short term.