CVE-2025-13577 is a cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability identified in version 2.1 of the PHPGurukul Hostel Management System, a PHP-based application used for managing hostel accommodations. The flaw exists in the /register-complaint.php script, where the 'cdetails' parameter is not properly sanitized or encoded before being reflected in the web page output. This allows an attacker to inject arbitrary JavaScript code that executes in the context of the victim's browser when they access a maliciously crafted URL or input. The vulnerability is remotely exploitable without requiring authentication, though it requires user interaction to trigger the malicious script execution. The CVSS 4.0 vector indicates network attack vector (AV:N), low attack complexity (AC:L), no privileges required (PR:L), and user interaction needed (UI:P). The impact primarily affects confidentiality and integrity by enabling session hijacking, credential theft, or unauthorized actions performed on behalf of the victim. Availability impact is minimal. No patches have been officially released yet, and no active exploits have been reported in the wild, but proof-of-concept exploits are publicly available, increasing the risk of exploitation. The vulnerability highlights the importance of proper input validation and output encoding in web applications to prevent XSS attacks.

For European organizations, particularly educational institutions and student housing providers using PHPGurukul Hostel Management System, this vulnerability poses a risk of unauthorized access to user sessions and sensitive information. Attackers could exploit the XSS flaw to steal authentication cookies, impersonate users, or deliver malware payloads, potentially leading to data breaches and loss of trust. The reputational damage could be significant, especially in countries with strict data protection regulations like GDPR. Additionally, compromised systems could be leveraged as entry points for further attacks within the network. The impact is heightened in environments where multiple users access the system, increasing the attack surface. Although the vulnerability does not directly affect system availability, the indirect consequences of successful exploitation could disrupt operations and require costly incident response efforts.

Organizations should immediately review and sanitize all user inputs, particularly the 'cdetails' parameter in /register-complaint.php, applying strict input validation and context-aware output encoding to neutralize malicious scripts. Employ Content Security Policy (CSP) headers to restrict the execution of unauthorized scripts in browsers. Monitor web application logs for suspicious activity related to the complaint registration functionality. Since no official patch is currently available, consider implementing temporary workarounds such as disabling the vulnerable feature or restricting access to the affected page to trusted users only. Educate users about the risks of clicking on untrusted links and encourage the use of updated browsers with built-in XSS protections. Plan for timely deployment of official patches or updates from PHPGurukul once released. Conduct regular security assessments and penetration testing to detect similar vulnerabilities proactively.