CVE-2025-13577 identifies a Cross Site Scripting (XSS) vulnerability in PHPGurukul Hostel Management System version 2.1, specifically in the /register-complaint.php endpoint. The vulnerability arises from improper sanitization or encoding of the 'cdetails' parameter, which accepts user input that is then reflected in the web page output without adequate escaping. This allows an attacker to craft a malicious payload that, when submitted and subsequently viewed by another user, executes arbitrary JavaScript in the victim's browser context. The attack vector is remote and does not require authentication, but user interaction is necessary to trigger the malicious script, such as viewing the manipulated complaint details. The CVSS 4.0 vector indicates network attack vector (AV:N), low attack complexity (AC:L), no privileges required (PR:L - low privileges), user interaction required (UI:P), and limited impacts on confidentiality and integrity (VC:N, VI:L), with no impact on availability. Although no known exploits are currently observed in the wild, the public disclosure and availability of exploit details increase the risk of exploitation. The vulnerability primarily threatens the confidentiality and integrity of user sessions and data, potentially enabling session hijacking, phishing, or defacement attacks. The affected product is used in educational institutions for hostel management, making the threat relevant to organizations managing student accommodations and related services.

For European organizations, the impact of this XSS vulnerability can include unauthorized access to user sessions, theft of sensitive information such as login credentials or personal data, and manipulation of displayed content leading to reputational damage. Educational institutions and service providers using PHPGurukul Hostel Management System version 2.1 are at risk of targeted attacks that exploit this vulnerability to compromise student or staff accounts. The medium severity reflects limited but tangible risks to confidentiality and integrity, with no direct availability impact. However, successful exploitation could facilitate further attacks such as privilege escalation or malware delivery. The risk is heightened in environments where users have elevated privileges or where the system integrates with other critical infrastructure. Additionally, compliance with European data protection regulations (e.g., GDPR) could be jeopardized if personal data is exposed or manipulated through this vulnerability.

To mitigate CVE-2025-13577, organizations should first verify if they are running PHPGurukul Hostel Management System version 2.1 and prioritize upgrading to a patched version once available. In the absence of an official patch, implement strict input validation and output encoding on the 'cdetails' parameter to neutralize malicious scripts. Employ Content Security Policy (CSP) headers to restrict the execution of unauthorized scripts in the browser. Conduct regular security awareness training for users to recognize suspicious links or inputs related to complaint submissions. Monitor web application logs for unusual input patterns or error messages indicating attempted exploitation. Consider deploying Web Application Firewalls (WAF) with custom rules to detect and block XSS payloads targeting the vulnerable endpoint. Finally, review and harden session management practices to minimize the impact of potential session hijacking.