CVE-2025-13287 identifies a SQL injection vulnerability in the itsourcecode Online Voting System version 1.0, specifically within the /index.php?page=categories endpoint. The vulnerability arises from improper sanitization of the id/category parameter, allowing an attacker to inject malicious SQL commands remotely without requiring authentication or user interaction. This flaw can be exploited to manipulate backend database queries, potentially leading to unauthorized data disclosure, modification, or deletion. The vulnerability has a CVSS 4.0 base score of 5.3, reflecting medium severity due to its network attack vector, low attack complexity, and no need for privileges or user interaction. While no active exploits have been observed in the wild, a public exploit is available, increasing the likelihood of future attacks. The affected product is used for online voting, making the integrity and confidentiality of election data critical. Exploitation could undermine trust in electoral outcomes by altering vote counts or exposing sensitive voter information. The vulnerability highlights the importance of secure coding practices such as input validation and the use of parameterized queries to prevent injection attacks. No official patches or updates have been referenced, so organizations must implement compensating controls or upgrade when available.

For European organizations, particularly electoral commissions and governmental bodies using the itsourcecode Online Voting System, this vulnerability poses a significant risk to the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of election data. Successful exploitation could allow attackers to alter vote tallies, manipulate election categories, or extract sensitive voter information, potentially undermining democratic processes and public trust. The remote and unauthenticated nature of the attack vector increases exposure, especially if the system is internet-facing. The medium CVSS score indicates moderate impact, but the critical nature of voting systems amplifies the consequences. Disruption or manipulation of election results could lead to political instability, legal challenges, and reputational damage. Additionally, data breaches could violate European data protection regulations such as GDPR, resulting in legal and financial penalties. Organizations relying on this software must prioritize mitigation to safeguard electoral integrity and comply with regulatory requirements.

To mitigate CVE-2025-13287, European organizations should immediately implement strict input validation and sanitization on the id/category parameters to prevent SQL injection. Employ parameterized queries or prepared statements in the affected codebase to ensure that user inputs cannot alter SQL command structure. Conduct a thorough code review of the entire voting system to identify and remediate any other injection points. If available, apply official patches or updates from itsourcecode promptly. In the absence of patches, consider isolating the voting system behind a web application firewall (WAF) configured to detect and block SQL injection attempts. Implement network segmentation to restrict access to the voting system backend and monitor logs for suspicious query patterns. Regularly audit database integrity and maintain secure backups to enable recovery in case of compromise. Engage in penetration testing and vulnerability scanning focused on injection flaws. Finally, educate developers and administrators on secure coding and system hardening practices to prevent recurrence.