CVE-2025-13349 is a cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability identified in SourceCodester Student Grades Management System version 1.0. The flaw exists in the /grades.php file, specifically in the Add New Grade Page component, where the 'Remarks' parameter is not properly sanitized or validated. This allows an attacker to inject malicious JavaScript code that executes in the context of the victim's browser when the vulnerable page is viewed. The vulnerability is remotely exploitable without requiring authentication, but it does require user interaction to trigger the malicious script, such as a user viewing a manipulated grade entry. The CVSS 4.0 score of 5.1 reflects a medium severity, considering the network attack vector, low attack complexity, no privileges required, but requiring user interaction. The impact primarily affects confidentiality and integrity by enabling session hijacking, theft of sensitive information, or manipulation of displayed data. Availability impact is minimal. No patches or fixes are currently linked, and no known exploits are reported in the wild, but the public disclosure of the exploit code increases the risk of exploitation. The vulnerability is particularly concerning for educational institutions that rely on this system to manage student grades, as attackers could leverage this to compromise user accounts or deface grade information.

For European organizations, especially educational institutions using SourceCodester Student Grades Management System 1.0, this vulnerability poses a risk of unauthorized access to sensitive student data and potential manipulation of grade records. Successful exploitation could lead to session hijacking, allowing attackers to impersonate legitimate users, potentially including administrators or teachers. This compromises confidentiality and integrity of student information and institutional data. Additionally, attackers could use the vulnerability to deliver phishing payloads or malware via injected scripts, increasing the attack surface. The reputational damage and regulatory consequences under GDPR for data breaches involving student information could be significant. While the vulnerability does not directly affect system availability, the indirect effects of compromised trust and data integrity could disrupt educational operations. The medium severity rating suggests a moderate risk, but the lack of patches and public exploit disclosure heightens urgency for mitigation.

To mitigate CVE-2025-13349, organizations should implement strict input validation and output encoding on the 'Remarks' parameter within the /grades.php component to prevent injection of malicious scripts. Employing a whitelist approach for allowed characters and sanitizing all user-supplied input is critical. Deploying a Web Application Firewall (WAF) with rules to detect and block XSS payloads can provide an additional layer of defense. Monitoring web server logs and application behavior for unusual patterns or repeated injection attempts is recommended. If a patch or updated version of the Student Grades Management System becomes available, immediate application is essential. In the absence of official patches, consider isolating the vulnerable application behind secure access controls and limiting user privileges to reduce exposure. Educate users about the risks of clicking on suspicious links or content within the application. Regular security assessments and penetration testing focusing on input validation should be conducted to identify and remediate similar vulnerabilities.