CVE-2025-14206 identifies an improper authorization vulnerability in SourceCodester Online Student Clearance System version 1.0. The flaw exists in the /Admin/delete-fee.php script, which handles fee record deletions. An attacker can remotely manipulate the 'ID' argument to bypass authorization checks, allowing unauthorized deletion of fee records. This vulnerability does not require authentication or user interaction, making it accessible to unauthenticated remote attackers. The improper authorization means that the system fails to verify whether the requester has sufficient privileges to perform the deletion operation. The impact includes unauthorized data modification, potentially corrupting student financial records and disrupting clearance workflows. The CVSS 4.0 score of 6.9 (medium severity) reflects the network attack vector, low attack complexity, and no privileges or user interaction needed, with limited impact on confidentiality but notable impact on integrity and availability. Although no public exploit code is currently known to be actively used, the public disclosure of the vulnerability details increases the risk of exploitation. The vulnerability affects only version 1.0 of the product, and no official patches have been linked yet. Organizations using this system should prioritize validation and authorization controls on administrative functions, especially those that modify critical data such as fee records.

For European organizations, particularly educational institutions using the SourceCodester Online Student Clearance System, this vulnerability can lead to unauthorized deletion of fee records, impacting the integrity and availability of student financial data. This may cause administrative disruption, financial discrepancies, and loss of trust in the system's reliability. The improper authorization could be exploited to manipulate clearance statuses, potentially allowing students to bypass fee payments or causing denial of clearance to legitimate students. Such disruptions can affect operational continuity and may have legal or compliance implications under data protection regulations like GDPR if personal or financial data integrity is compromised. The remote and unauthenticated nature of the exploit increases the risk of widespread attacks if the system is exposed to the internet without adequate protections.

1. Implement strict server-side authorization checks on all administrative endpoints, especially /Admin/delete-fee.php, ensuring that only authenticated and authorized users can perform fee deletions. 2. Validate and sanitize the 'ID' parameter rigorously to prevent unauthorized manipulation. 3. Restrict access to administrative interfaces via network controls such as VPNs, IP whitelisting, or firewalls to limit exposure. 4. Monitor logs for unusual deletion activities or repeated access attempts to administrative functions. 5. If possible, apply patches or updates from the vendor once available; if no patch exists, consider disabling or restricting the vulnerable functionality temporarily. 6. Conduct a thorough audit of fee records and clearance statuses to detect and remediate any unauthorized changes. 7. Educate administrative staff on security best practices and the importance of safeguarding credentials and access controls. 8. Employ web application firewalls (WAF) with custom rules to detect and block suspicious requests targeting the vulnerable parameter.