CVE-2025-14211 identifies a SQL Injection vulnerability in the Advanced Library Management System (ALMS) version 1.0 developed by projectworlds. The vulnerability resides in the /delete_book.php script, where the book_id parameter is improperly sanitized, allowing attackers to inject malicious SQL code. This injection can be performed remotely without authentication or user interaction, enabling attackers to manipulate backend database queries. Potential impacts include unauthorized data retrieval, modification, or deletion, which compromises confidentiality and integrity of the library management data. The vulnerability has a CVSS 4.0 base score of 6.9, indicating medium severity, with an attack vector of network (remote) and low attack complexity. The exploit is publicly available, increasing the likelihood of exploitation despite no current known active attacks. The lack of authentication and user interaction requirements makes this vulnerability particularly dangerous for exposed systems. The Advanced Library Management System is typically used by educational institutions and public libraries, which may store sensitive patron and inventory data. The vulnerability does not affect system availability directly but can lead to significant data breaches or corruption. No official patches have been released yet, and no mitigations are documented, emphasizing the need for immediate defensive measures.

For European organizations, exploitation of this vulnerability could lead to unauthorized disclosure of sensitive patron information, manipulation or deletion of library records, and potential disruption of library services. Educational institutions and public libraries relying on projectworlds ALMS 1.0 may face reputational damage, regulatory penalties under GDPR for data breaches, and operational challenges. The ability to exploit remotely without authentication increases the attack surface, especially for systems exposed to the internet or inadequately segmented networks. Confidentiality and integrity impacts are significant, as attackers could extract personal data or alter records. While availability impact is limited, the indirect consequences of data corruption or loss could disrupt library operations. The public availability of exploit code raises the risk of opportunistic attacks, including by cybercriminals or hacktivists targeting cultural or educational infrastructure in Europe. Organizations may also face compliance risks if they fail to secure personal data adequately. Overall, the vulnerability poses a moderate but tangible threat to European library and educational sectors using this software.

1. Immediate implementation of input validation and sanitization on the book_id parameter to prevent SQL injection. 2. Refactor the /delete_book.php code to use parameterized queries or prepared statements to eliminate direct SQL concatenation. 3. Restrict network access to the vulnerable endpoint by implementing firewall rules or web application firewalls (WAF) that can detect and block SQL injection attempts. 4. Conduct a thorough audit of all input handling in the ALMS to identify and remediate similar vulnerabilities. 5. Monitor logs for suspicious activity targeting /delete_book.php or unusual database queries. 6. If patching is not immediately possible, consider isolating the ALMS server from external networks or placing it behind VPNs to limit exposure. 7. Educate IT staff and administrators about the vulnerability and the importance of timely updates and secure coding practices. 8. Engage with the vendor (projectworlds) to request an official patch or security update. 9. Implement regular backups of the database to enable recovery in case of data tampering. 10. Review and update incident response plans to include scenarios involving SQL injection attacks.