CVE-2025-13343 is a cross-site scripting vulnerability identified in SourceCodester Interview Management System version 1.0, located in the /editQuestion.php script. The vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and sanitization of the 'Question' parameter, which allows an attacker to inject arbitrary JavaScript code. This flaw can be exploited remotely without authentication, although user interaction is necessary for the attack to succeed, typically by tricking a user into clicking a maliciously crafted URL or submitting manipulated input. The vulnerability affects the confidentiality and integrity of user sessions by enabling attackers to steal cookies, perform session hijacking, or execute actions on behalf of the victim. The CVSS 4.0 vector indicates network attack vector (AV:N), low attack complexity (AC:L), no privileges required (PR:L), and user interaction required (UI:P). The vulnerability does not affect availability or system integrity directly but can lead to further attacks. No official patches or updates have been released by the vendor, and public exploit code is available, increasing the likelihood of exploitation. The vulnerability is particularly relevant for organizations relying on this software for interview and recruitment management, as it could compromise sensitive candidate and organizational data.

For European organizations, the impact of CVE-2025-13343 can be significant, especially for those in HR, recruitment, and talent acquisition sectors using SourceCodester Interview Management System 1.0. Exploitation could lead to unauthorized access to sensitive candidate information, session hijacking of HR personnel accounts, and potential manipulation of interview questions or candidate data. This undermines confidentiality and integrity of recruitment processes, potentially damaging organizational reputation and compliance with data protection regulations such as GDPR. The attack vector being remote and requiring no authentication increases exposure, while user interaction dependency may limit widespread automated exploitation. However, the public availability of exploit code raises the risk of targeted phishing campaigns. Disruption to recruitment workflows could also indirectly affect business operations. Organizations handling large volumes of personal data or operating in regulated industries face heightened risks of legal and financial penalties if data breaches occur due to this vulnerability.

1. Implement strict input validation and output encoding on the 'Question' parameter within /editQuestion.php to neutralize malicious scripts. 2. Deploy Web Application Firewalls (WAFs) with robust XSS detection and blocking capabilities to filter malicious payloads before reaching the application. 3. Conduct thorough code reviews and security testing of the Interview Management System to identify and remediate similar input handling flaws. 4. Educate HR and recruitment staff about phishing and social engineering risks related to XSS attacks to reduce user interaction exploitation. 5. Monitor web server logs and application behavior for unusual patterns indicative of XSS attempts or exploitation. 6. If possible, isolate the Interview Management System behind secure network segments and restrict access to trusted users. 7. Engage with the vendor or community to obtain or develop patches addressing this vulnerability. 8. Consider migrating to alternative, actively maintained recruitment management solutions with better security track records if patching is not feasible.