CVE-2025-13586 identifies a SQL injection vulnerability in the SourceCodester Online Student Clearance System version 1.0. The vulnerability resides in the /Admin/changepassword.php script, where the txtconfirm_password parameter is improperly sanitized, allowing an attacker to inject malicious SQL queries. This flaw enables remote attackers to manipulate backend database queries, potentially leading to unauthorized data access, data modification, or disruption of service. The vulnerability does not require user interaction but does require high privileges (PR:H) to exploit, indicating that an attacker must already have some level of authenticated access to the system. The CVSS 4.0 base score is 5.1, reflecting a medium severity with network attack vector (AV:N), low complexity (AC:L), no user interaction (UI:N), and no privileges required for attack initiation (AT:N) but with high privileges needed (PR:H). The vulnerability impacts confidentiality, integrity, and availability to a limited extent (VC:L, VI:L, VA:L). No patches have been officially released yet, and no known exploits are active in the wild, but a proof-of-concept exploit has been published, increasing the risk of exploitation. The vulnerability is critical for educational institutions using this system as it could expose sensitive student data or allow unauthorized password changes, undermining system trust and security.

For European organizations, particularly educational institutions using the SourceCodester Online Student Clearance System, this vulnerability poses a significant risk to the confidentiality and integrity of student records and administrative data. Successful exploitation could lead to unauthorized disclosure of personal information, manipulation of clearance statuses, or disruption of administrative processes. This could result in reputational damage, regulatory penalties under GDPR due to data breaches, and operational downtime. The requirement of high privileges to exploit somewhat limits the attack surface but does not eliminate the risk, especially if internal threat actors or compromised accounts are involved. The medium severity suggests moderate urgency, but the availability of a public exploit increases the likelihood of attacks. Organizations may face challenges in detecting exploitation due to the subtle nature of SQL injection attacks. The impact extends beyond data loss to potential manipulation of academic clearance workflows, affecting student progression and institutional operations.

Organizations should immediately conduct a thorough code review of the /Admin/changepassword.php file focusing on the txtconfirm_password parameter. Implement parameterized queries or prepared statements to eliminate direct SQL injection vectors. Apply strict input validation and sanitization on all user-supplied inputs, especially those affecting authentication or password management functions. Restrict access to administrative interfaces to trusted IPs or via VPN to reduce exposure. Monitor logs for unusual database query patterns or failed login attempts that may indicate exploitation attempts. Deploy Web Application Firewalls (WAF) with rules targeting SQL injection signatures specific to this vulnerability. Since no official patch is available, consider temporary mitigations such as disabling the vulnerable functionality or isolating the affected system until a vendor patch is released. Educate internal users about the risk of privilege escalation and enforce strong authentication and session management controls to minimize the risk of compromised high-privilege accounts. Regularly audit database and application logs for signs of tampering or unauthorized access.